Elliott Lawrence: Elevation

Track

Elevation

Group

Elliott Lawrence

CD

Gerry Mulligan: Mullenium (Columbia/Legacy CK 65678)

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Musicians:

15-piece band featuring Joe Techner (trumpet), Vince Forrest (trombone), Phil Urso (tenor sax), Tom O’Neill (bass), Howie Mann (drums)

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Composed by Gerry Mulligan & Elliot Lawrence. Arranged by Gerry Mulligan

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Recorded: New York, April 13, 1949

Albumcovergerrymulligan-mullenium

Rating: 89/100 (learn more)

Within every fat person is a thin one longing to get out. We're reminded of this dubious adage by Gerry Mulligan's youthful arrangements for the oversized postwar ensembles of Gene Krupa, Elliot Lawrence and Stan Kenton. Getting such lummoxes to swing was like teaching a hippopotamus to skate. Amazingly, Mulligan got them gliding around as gracefully as Sonja Henie. While many big bands featured a "band within a band" (small combos drawn from the ranks for relief), Mulligan deftly refashions the full unit into a svelte reflection of itself. If our tailor could do this, we'd call him a magician.

Reviewer: Alan Kurtz

Tags:

  • 1 Jean // Mar 28, 2008 at 03:15 PM
    Tom O'Neill is my dad. It is great to see his name in print. I have the album and several other recordings that he played on. Does anyone else have anything? My son, his grandson is an up and coming young jazz bassist and loves to listen to these recordings
  • 2 Drew Techner // Jun 10, 2008 at 11:19 PM
    Joe Techner is my dad. He knew Tom O'Neill well. Hopefully you will contact me please.