Feeling Blue

A subtle and gorgeously seductive album, with a couple of tiny and mercifully short string accompaniments that one can cheerfully forgive and forget. Otherwise, lie back, listen, and absorb at several levels. This is chamber jazz, utterly seductive, the epitome of cool, and it can be used in the best sense. It is a perfect background, it is balanced and calm, and it can quietly assert itself if you let it. A distinct tone permeates almost every note this great sax player made, and he found a perfect partner in Jim Hall. Listen with half your brain or all of it or none of it; this is mellow and charming. Five stars for sure, and buy it, and bask in the warm bath that was Desmond and Hall together. On a desert island, this will be magic. It is not, nor can it be, the music of Beethoven or Wagner, which dares to take us to very profound heights and depths. But - an important but - mellow jazz is the Blandings Castle of everyday solace in a musical form. P G Wodehouse cannot be Shakespeare, but he is perfect for a gloomy day, a day when Shakespeare is probably not the best voice to turn to. Wodehouse has broad appeal, which is not the same as saying the writing is dumb or uninspired. Desmond and Hall deserve a place in your head.

Very mellow jazz, just what I wanted nothing to taxing, I knew Paul Desmond had played with Dave Brubeck, and had composed the classic Take Five, but I didn't have anything by the man himself in my collection of jazz albums, so as with a lot of my purchases, I looked at the reviews on Amazon, this one had favourable reviews, and I'm pleased to say I agree with them, if you want a more detailed review, then read the other reviews, all I can say is this is a good album. good sound quality, and great value.

Dear fellows,Paul Desmond was an excellent sax player. His early decease was a pity. And we should forever remember Desmond for composing Take Five.He is most known for being sideman in Dave Brubeck formations, customarily considered a part of the West Coast Cool Jazz, at the time derided by purists as sweet, smooth jazz for white college students.Desmond's production as leader is comparatively infrequent and rare. And this record is a minor gem.And, yes, it includes some themes with strings. But jazz is what jazzmen play. Charlie Parker did the same and nobody is cursing him.But let us temper the eulogies. Paul Desmond is not in the Jazz Olympus. What does Lee Konitz deserve if you give five stars to this record?

Paul Desmond and Jim Hall plus a great band.Songs that grow and grow more enjoyable with every listen. Alone Together , That Old Feeling, Here’s That Rainy Day, in fact every song a joy to hear over and over. I love this recording

paul desmond first came to my notice back in the 1950's when he was with the Gerry mulligan quartet. I was absolutely enchanted by his amazing talent as he was so beautifully lyrical & had a tone all his own. there were even times when it almost sounded as if he was playing duets with himself! simply amazing talent. so, this "feeling blue" album is a wonderful addition to my collection, as he is one of my all time favourites.

Great Paul Desmond at a great price.

Having paid only £2.99 for this album, compiled from three New York sessions in the early sixties, and agreeing with other reviewers to a great extent about Mr Desmond's fluid artistry, some fine guitar playing from Jim Hall, and with a welcome nod to Gerry Mulligan, I shouldn't moan too much. Nevertheless, this is not exactly groundbreaking stuff, meriting a five-star review. Nor is it helped by Connie Kay's unimaginative percussion. The essence of modern jazz is surely creativity, not performativity? This really belongs in the Easy Listening section. And I have to issue a 'Totally Inappropriate Slushy Strings Accompaniments' (TISSA) warning here... In fact, I can't imagine playing it a second time without hovering over the ff button. There are hideous orchestral intrusions on this album, where I really felt like throwing-up. Why do arrangers do it? It should be made a capital offence! But, hey. It's what you like, right?

A masterwork of jazz. Whilst being traditional the album incorporates classical elements at times such as on the elegent track Body and Soul. There are a couple of samba tracks as well. The recording can seem a little dated at times and sometimes there is mild background noise on some tracks but overall the album is well worth a purchase, easily comparable with much of Miles Davis's work. At the prices it sells for, a must have.