Though the music on
Mulligan is labeled as being recorded in France in 1958 by the baritone saxophonist
Gerry Mulligan, it actually consists of three songs by three different groups between 1960 and 1966, plus three cuts from a previously issued LP. Track one is labeled "Jeru," though it is instead a medley of "Roundhouse" and "Out of Nowhere." Backed by pianist
Claude Williamson, bassist
Buddy Clark, and drummer
Mel Lewis, this track is flawed because of the wow in the tape source, though there's nothing wrong with the playing. "Festive Minor" comes from a 1960 concert in Stockholm featuring
Mulligan's highly regarded quartet with
Art Farmer,
Bill Crow, and
Dave Bailey. A broadcast of the 1966 Newport Jazz Festival is the source of "Rose Room";
Mulligan mixes it up with an all-star band consisting of cornetist
Ruby Braff, pianist
Billy Taylor, and tenor saxophonist
Bud Freeman, with great results. The last three tracks were lifted from the Chiaroscuro LP
Idol Gossip. The incompetent packaging and the mediocre sound of this CD make it one that can be safely bypassed.