Search - Paul Desmond, Jim Hall :: Paul Desmond Quartet With Jim Hall

Masterfully subtle swing & beauty--jazz at it's very best

Jazz Pianist | Milwaukee, WI USA | 03/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Paul Desmond's amazing, fresh-as-spring saxophone sound is perfectly paired here with the perfect, subtle guitar work of Jim Hall. This is mellow, intimate, effortlessly gorgeous late night jazz, perfect for any hour. Like Mozart, Paul Desmond has a very special sparkle and a sweetness, a gentle light and genius which informs all of his ever-fresh improvisations. This CD is a beautiful sampling of some of his best work with Jim Hall. This is great music to hear again and again and again from 2 of jazz's very tallest, subtlest giants. Treat yourself!"

Beautiful West Coast Sound... But Overpriced Here

Guy Rittger | Sonoma, CA | 03/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently acquired a brand new, shrink-wrapped copy of the PDQ w/ Jim Hall for about $8.00, including shipping (Giants of Jazz label). Unless the items listed here are shrink-wrapped vinyl LPs then I'm at a loss as to how the sellers can ask $35 for the same item. So buyer beware.



Having said this, the PDQ w/ Jim Hall is everything anyone could ask for in West Coast jazz and shows all parties in fine form. Paul Desmond's playing is characteristically lyrical, underscoring the unique qualities of his style and tone, and his wise decision to not be a Charlie Parker clone. Jim Hall's guitar-work meshes perfectly with Desmond and the other musicians, with superb tone and feel that comes out remarkably well in this recording.



As another reviewer noted, this is just what the doctor ordered for late night chillin' with a bottle of scotch, and as fine an example of the West Coast sound as you're likely to hear - as cool today as it was 40 years ago."