First Place Again

First Place Again
Studio album by Paul Desmond
Released	1959
Recorded	September 5-7, 1959 New York City
Genre	Jazz
Length	45:58
Label	Warner Bros. W 1356
Producer	Bob Prince
Paul Desmond chronology
First Place Again (1959) Desmond Blue (1962)

First Place Again is the debut album led by American jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond featuring performances recorded in 1959 which were released on the Warner Bros. label.^[1][2][3]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[4]

Allmusic awarded the album 3½ stars stating "Desmond, of course, being at that time the king of melodic improvisation on the alto – with the possible exception of Art Pepper's ascendancy – is in fine form. His whimsical, breathy, dry tone is sharp, on the spot, and full of ideas as he quotes from a vast number of tunes. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxed set if ultimately unmemorable".^[4]

Track listing

1. "I Get a Kick Out of You" (Cole Porter) - 8:38
2. "For All We Know" (J. Fred Coots, Sam M. Lewis) - 5:33
3. "Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West" (John Lewis) - 7:28
4. "Greensleeves" (Traditional) - 2:05
5. "You Go to My Head" (Coots, Haven Gillespie) - 6:27
6. "East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)" (Brooks Bowman) - 5:45
7. "Time After Time" (Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn) - 6:13
8. "Susie" (Paul Desmond) - 3:49 Bonus track on CD reissue

Personnel

• Paul Desmond - alto saxophone
• Jim Hall - guitar
• Percy Heath - bass
• Connie Kay - drums

References

1. Paul Desmond Catalog accessed February 29, 2016
2. Paul Desmond Discography Part Two: 1950-1959 accessed February 29, 2016
3. Berry, S. Jim Hall discography accessed February 29, 2016
4. Jurek, Thom. First Place Again – Review at AllMusic. Retrieved February 29, 2016.