Perfection: Gene Krupa - Mulligan Stew

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.

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 and solos by Phil Woods, Urbie Green and Frank Sokolow to 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...