Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Even though Desmond was kidding when he described himself as the world's slowest alto player, this record bears out the kernel of truth within the jest. Here, Desmond set out to make a record of love songs and torch ballads, so the tempos are very slow to medium, the mood is of wistful relaxation, and the spaces between the notes grow longer. At first glance, Desmond may seem only peripherally involved with the music-making, keeping emotion at a cool, intellectual arms' length, yet his exceptionally pure tone and ruminative moods wear very well over the long haul. Again, Jim Hall is his commiserator and partner, and the guitarist gets practically as much space to unwind as the headliner; the solo on "Angel Eyes" is an encyclopedia of magnificent chording and single-string eloquence. Gene Wright returns on bass, spelled by Gene Cherico on "Poor Butterfly," and Connie Kay's brush-dominated drum work is pushed even further into the background. A lovely recording, though not the best album in the Desmond/Hall collaboration.
© Richard S. Ginell /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From 12.49€/month
Eugene Wright, Acoustic Bass - Paul Desmond, Alto Saxophone - George Avakian, Producer - Lorenz Hart, Lyricist - Richard Rodgers, Composer - Connie Kay, Drums - Jim Hall, Guitar
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Raymond Hubbell, Composer - Paul Desmond, Alto Saxophone - John Golden, Lyricist - George Avakian, Producer - Gene Cherico, Bass - Connie Kay, Drums - Jim Hall, Guitar
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Eugene Wright, Bass - Paul Desmond, Alto Saxophone - George Avakian, Producer - Mel Tormé, Composer - Connie Kay, Drums - Jim Hall, Guitar
Recorded Prior to 1972. All Rights Reserved by BMG Entertainment
Eugene Wright, Bass - Paul Desmond, Alto Saxophone - Ric Marlow, Composer - George Avakian, Producer - Bobby Scott, Composer - Connie Kay, Drums - Jim Hall, Guitar
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Eugene Wright, Bass - Paul Desmond, Composer - Paul Desmond, Alto Saxophone - George Avakian, Producer - Connie Kay, Drums - Jim Hall, Guitar
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Eugene Wright, Bass - Paul Desmond, Alto Saxophone - George Avakian, Producer - Bronislaw Kaper, Composer - Helen Deutsch, Composer - Connie Kay, Drums - Jim Hall, Guitar
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Eugene Wright, Acoustic Bass - Paul Desmond, Alto Saxophone - George Avakian, Producer - Matt L. Dennis, Composer - Connie Kay, Drums - Jim Hall, Guitar - Earl K. Brent, Composer
Originally released 1965. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Eugene Wright, Bass - Paul Desmond, Alto Saxophone - George Avakian, Producer - Edgar Leslie, Lyricist - Harry Warren, Composer - Connie Kay, Drums - Jim Hall, Guitar
Originally recorded 1964 & released 1987. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Eugene Wright, Acoustic Bass - Paul Desmond, Alto Saxophone - George Avakian, Producer - Connie Kay, Drums - Jim Hall, Composer - Jim Hall, Guitar
Originally recorded 1964 & released 1987. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Eugene Wright, Bass - Paul Desmond, Alto Saxophone - George Avakian, Producer - Cole Porter, Composer - Connie Kay, Drums - Jim Hall, Guitar
Originally recorded 1964 & released 1987. All rights reserved by RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Album review
Even though Desmond was kidding when he described himself as the world's slowest alto player, this record bears out the kernel of truth within the jest. Here, Desmond set out to make a record of love songs and torch ballads, so the tempos are very slow to medium, the mood is of wistful relaxation, and the spaces between the notes grow longer. At first glance, Desmond may seem only peripherally involved with the music-making, keeping emotion at a cool, intellectual arms' length, yet his exceptionally pure tone and ruminative moods wear very well over the long haul. Again, Jim Hall is his commiserator and partner, and the guitarist gets practically as much space to unwind as the headliner; the solo on "Angel Eyes" is an encyclopedia of magnificent chording and single-string eloquence. Gene Wright returns on bass, spelled by Gene Cherico on "Poor Butterfly," and Connie Kay's brush-dominated drum work is pushed even further into the background. A lovely recording, though not the best album in the Desmond/Hall collaboration.
© Richard S. Ginell /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:56:22
- Main artists: Paul Desmond
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: RCA Victor
- Genre: Jazz
(P) 1965 BMG MUSIC (1 TO 7) (P) 1987 BMG MUSIC (8 TO10)
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.