2 DEGREES EAST, 3 DEGREES WEST

5 STARS DOWN BEAT MAGAZINE
5 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE
 

John Lewis’ complete 1956 album (2 Degrees East –3 Degrees West (Pacific Jazz PJ1217). It showcases Lewis outside of his usual MJQ habitat, performing in a quintet setting with Jim Hall, Bill Perkins, Percy Heath and Chico Hamilton. These are the only existing collaborations of Lewis with either Bill Perkins or Chico Hamilton. As a bonus, five additional collaborative small group recordings of Lewis and Jim Hall, among them a second version of the title tune, “2 Degrees East –3 Degrees West”.

Includes 12-page booklet

PERSONNEL:

JOHN LEWIS, piano
BILL PERKINS, tenor sax (out on 2 & 5)
JIM HALL, guitar (out on 2)
PERCY HEATH, bass
CHICO HAMILTON, drums

Los Angeles, February 10, 1956.

*BONUS TRACKS (11-17):
7-8 & 10-11: John Lewis (p), Jim Hall (g), George Duvivier (b), Connie Kay (d).
New York, July 29 (tracks 7 & 10-11), and September 9 (track 8), 1960.
9: John Lewis (p), Jim Hall (g), Percy Heath

Tracks:

1. LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME 8:18
2. I CAN’T GET STARTED 3:33
3. EASY LIVING 4:16
4. 2 DEGREES EAST –3 DEGREES WEST 6:09
5. SKYLARK 3:07
6. ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE 9:33
7. 2 DEGREES EAST –3 DEGREES WEST [version 2] 5:38*
8. IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW 10:23*
9. TWO LYRIC PIECES: a) PIERROT b) COLOMBINE 10:55*
10. I SHOULD CARE 4:53*
11. I REMEMBER CLIFFORD 3:31*

TOTAL TIME: 70:12

DOWN BEAT original review: 2 Degrees East –3 Degrees West
“There is really no highspot to this album, because the performances on all tracks are on a plateau of excellence such as to make further comparison superfluous. It seems enough to say, however, that this is the sort of album you hope for and seldom get. This album contains the kind of performances you are forced to think of for hours. You can’t help yourself. Is there any stronger praise?” (Nat Hentoff)

ALL MUSIC GUIDE: 2 Degrees East –3 Degrees West
“This classic session is the ultimate in cool jazz. Perkins’ mellow tone matches quite well with the quiet but inwardly passionate playing of pianist John Lewis, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Chico Hamilton. Lewis is featured with the rhythm section on ‘I Can’t Get Started’, Hall is added for ‘Skylark’, and the full group plays three standards plus Lewis’ memorable (and atmospheric) ‘2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West’.” (Scott Yanow)