Desmond Blue in Bloomington, MN

Altoist
Paul Desmond
plays beautifully as usual throughout his collaboration with a string section (plus woodwinds and harp) arranged by
Bob Prince
. Guitarist
Jim Hall
also has some good spots, but
Prince
's arrangements are often overblown, overbearing, and much more dated than the solos. In fact, there is not a single place on the set where the music would not have been improved by the absence of the strings and woodwinds.
Desmond
gets in some good solos (particularly on "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Body and Soul," and "Autumn Leaves"), but his other meetings with
Hall
come more highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow