Search - Paul Desmond :: Desmond Blue

Showcase For An Alto Sax Master

Douglas Bowman | Bel Air, Maryland United States | 09/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With clean, melodic alto saxophone floating lyrically over a string orchestra's backing, "Desmond Blue(Desmond with Strings)is a wonderful showcase for one of the most tasteful instrumentalists of the West Coast "cool" jazz school. The strings never seem obtrusive; instead, the backing seems to accentuate Desmond's solos. He weaves melodically over these standards, lilting over the strings, and trading solos with the always-incredible Jim Hall's. When Hall takes the lead, his guitar work echoes Desmond's understated leads. "I Should Care" and "Late Lament"(one of two Desmond compositions) are two of the strongest offerings."

A Different Setting For A Great Player

Duncan MacLeod | Kingston, NH | 06/16/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Normally, I don't have much use for records of jazz players with strings. They mostly strike me as needless attempts to somehow "legitimize" the artist as a serious player with a pseudo-symphonic setting, in hopes of getting non-jazz listeners to give him some credit.



This album is a wonderful exception to the usually contrived-sounding "jazzman with strings" album, or attempt at a "mood-music" atmosphere. Rather than sounding superfluous, as strings in jazz usually do, the Bob-Prince-arranged orchestra here seems to wonderfully complement the lyrical Desmond style. The orchestrations, at least on most cuts, actually sound like some creative thought went into them.



For the listener who is uncertain, I recommend starting out by listening to "Like Someone In Love." The orchestra's up-tempo intro raises expectations of something really special, and Desmond's soloing does not disappoint. He states the melody first, with phrasing not heard in any previous version of this Jimmy VanHeusen gem. Guitarist Jim Hall provides a nice interlude in the middle, followed by some more playing by Desmond that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck whenever I listen to it.



Nearly every other track is nice, but none quite comes up to "Like Someone in Love" for my ears. Still, I'd recommend the album, especially if you like string albums--but even if, like me, you don't usually like them."