On October 20, 21 and 22 of 1958, drummer Gene Krupa assembled a crack New York big band to record Gene Krupa Plays Gerry Mulligan Arrangements for Verve. The idea was brilliant. Krupa, of course, had a long history with Mulligan dating back to 1946.
One of the most interesting songs out of the 12 recorded was Mulligan Stew, a sexy bop chart. The material is terrific—from the song's opening to solos by Phil Woods, Urbie Green and Eddie Wasserman; from the call and response by the different sections and sassy swing. Mulligan Stew is credited to Krupa and Mulligan, and Mulligan's arrangement is ingenious.
The personnel on this track: Al DeRisi, Ernie Royal, Doc Severinsen, Al Stewart and Marky Markowitz (tp); Willie Dennis, Urbie Green, Jimmy Cleveland and Kai Winding (tb); unknown (tu); Sam Marowitz and Phil Woods (as); Frank Socolow and Eddie Wasserman (ts); Danny Bank (bar); Hank Jones (p); Barry Galbraith (g); Jimmy Gannon (b); Gene Krupa (d) and Gerry Mulligan (arr,cond).
All of the charts on the album are tight and spectacular, with an electrifying freshness and a crisp snap by Krupa's drums where needed. To hear such a large piece of machinery like this big band shift effortlessly and move spryly through the parts is remarkable.
Here's Mulligan Stew...
Other Perfection tracks in this ongoing series...
