AMG Review of Jimmy Giuffre 3

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

The only one of Jimmy Giuffre's valuable Atlantic recordings to thus far be reissued on CD, this disc features the first version of Giuffre's 3. With guitarist Jim Hall and either Ralph Pena or Jim Atlas on bass, Giuffre is heard on clarinet, tenor and baritone. The generally introverted music is wistful, has a fair amount of variety, and is melodic while still sounding advanced. In addition to the nine original songs (including the earliest recording of Giuffre's classic folk song "The Train and the River"), two previously unreleased tunes (including "Forty-Second Street") were added to the CD reissue. An excellent introduction to Jimmy Giuffre's unique (if not particularly influential) music.