Showing posts with label Phil Woods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phil Woods. Show all posts

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Lou Donaldson - Rough House Blues

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:01
Size: 77.9 MB
Styles: Bop, Soul-jazz
Year: 1964/2010
Art: Front

[5:22] 1. Tippin' In
[3:12] 2. L.D. Blues
[4:24] 3. Days Of Wine And Roses
[4:57] 4. Ignant Oil
[6:33] 5. Rough House Blues
[4:00] 6. Back Talk
[5:30] 7. Huffin' 'n' Puffin'

Lou Donaldson - alto saxophone; Dave Burns, Ernie Royal - trumpet; Phil Woods - alto saxophone; Bob Ashton - tenor saxophone; Danny Bank - baritone saxophone; Lloyd Mayers Jr. - organ; Richard Davis - bass; Grady Tate - drums; Oliver Nelson - conductor, arranger.

Lou Donaldson has long been an excellent bop altoist influenced by Charlie Parker, but with a more blues-based style of his own. His distinctive tone has been heard in a variety of small-group settings, and he has recorded dozens of worthy and spirited (if somewhat predictable) sets throughout the years.

Donaldson started playing clarinet when he was 15, soon switching to the alto. He attended college and performed in a Navy band while in the military. Donaldson first gained attention when he moved to New York and in 1952 started recording for Blue Note as a leader. At the age of 25, his style was fully formed, and although it would continue growing in depth through the years, Donaldson had already found his sound. In 1954, he participated in a notable gig with Art Blakey, Clifford Brown, Horace Silver, and Tommy Potter that was extensively documented by Blue Note and that directly predated the Jazz Messengers. However, Donaldson was never a member of the Messengers, and although he recorded as a sideman in the '50s and occasionally afterwards with Thelonious Monk, Milt Jackson, and Jimmy Smith, among others, he has been a bandleader from the mid-'50s up until the present.

Donaldson's early Blue Note recordings were pure bop. In 1958, he began often utilizing a conga player, and starting in 1961, his bands often had an organist rather than a pianist. His bluesy style was easily transferable to soul-jazz, and he sounded most original in that context. His association with Blue Note (1952-1963) was succeeded by some excellent (if now-scarce) sets for Cadet and Argo (1963-1966). The altoist returned to Blue Note in 1967 and soon became caught up in the increasingly commercial leanings of the label. For a time, he utilized an electronic Varitone sax, which completely watered down his sound. The success of "Alligator Boogaloo" in 1967 led to a series of less interesting funk recordings that were instantly dated and not worthy of his talent.

Rough House Blues

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Dianne Reeves - The Grand Encounter

Styles: Vocal Jazz 
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:26
Size: 116,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. Old Country
(3:23)  2. Cherokee
(8:12)  3. Besame Mucho
(3:46)  4. Let Me Love You
(4:54)  5. Tenderly
(6:06)  6. After Hours
(3:27)  7. Ha!
(5:24)  8. Some Other Spring
(5:08)  9. Side By Side
(4:59) 10. I'm Okay

This CD could have been titled Finally! Dianne Reeves has long had the potential to be the top female jazz singer, but so many of her previous recordings were erratic as she skipped back and forth between idioms without committing herself. However, after years of flirting with jazz and being seemingly undecided whether she would rather be a pop star, she at last came out with a full jazz album in 1996, and it is a gem. The supporting cast on the ten selections (which feature different personnel on each cut) is remarkable and everyone gets a chance to play: trumpeters Clark Terry and Harry "Sweets" Edison, altoists Phil Woods and Bobby Watson, tenorman James Moody, trombonist Al Grey, harmonica great Toots Thielemans (on "Besame Mucho"), pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rodney Whitaker, and drummer Herlin Riley.

In addition, Joe Williams shares the vocal spotlight on "Let Me Love You" and a touching version of "Tenderly," Germaine Bazzle sings along with Reeves on "Side by Side," and a rendition of Charlie Ventura's "Ha!" has a vocal group consisting of Reeves, Bazzle, Terry, Moody, and the young Kimberley Longstreth. Other highlights include Nat Adderley's "Old Country," "Some Other Spring," and "Cherokee." Despite the heavy "competition," the leader emerges as the star of the set due to her beautiful voice and highly expressive singing. This highly recommended CD is the Dianne Reeves release to get. By Scott Yanow
https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-grand-encounter-mw0000081516

Personnel: Vocals – Dianne Reeves, Germaine Bazzle, Joe Williams , Kimberley Longstreth; Vocals, Tenor Saxophone – James Moody; Vocals, Trumpet – Clark Terry ; Alto Saxophone – Bobby Watson , Phil Woods; Bass – Rodney Whitaker; Drums – Herlin Riley; Harmonica – Toots Thielemans; Piano – Kenny Barron; Trombone – Al Grey ; Trumpet – Harry "Sweets" Edison

The Grand Encounter

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Mundell Lowe - Blues for a Stripper

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2021
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:18
Size: 73,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:30) 1. Blues for a Stripper
(3:25) 2. From Mundy On
(2:15) 3. Montage
(3:33) 4. Coffee, Coffee
(3:41) 5. The Lost and the Lonely
(2:28) 6. Pattern of Evil
(3:30) 7. Satan in High Heels
(2:54) 8. East Side Drive
(3:33) 9. Lake in the Woods
(2:25) 10. The Long Knife

The music on this big-band date led by guitarist Mundell Lowe has a somewhat confusing history, since it was initially released as the soundtrack to the low-budget film Satan in High Heels and later reissued as Blues for a Stripper. The ten originals are written, arranged, and conducted by Lowe, with a formidable all-star big band that includes Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Jimmy Cleveland, Joe Newman, Al Cohn, Oliver Nelson, and Eddie Costa.

His brief sketches are enjoyable, running the gamut of bop, hard bop, cool, and swing, though none of them makes a lasting impression. Sadly, none of the soloists is identified and the solos are too brief to make it obvious who is playing, though Costa takes several excellent solos on vibes. This LP, issued on the Charlie Parker label, is a bit of an obscurity that is worth searching for. By Ken Dryden
https://www.allmusic.com/album/blues-for-a-stripper-mw0000350724

Personnel: Alto Saxophone – Phil Woods; Baritone Saxophone – Gene Allen, Sol Schlinger; Bass – George Duvivier; Drums – Ed Shaughnessy; Guitar – Mundell Lowe; Piano, Vibraphone – Eddie Costa; Saxophone – Al Cohn, Al Klink, Ray Beckenstein, Walter Levinsky; Saxophone, Flute – Walter Levinsky; Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn, Oliver Nelson; Trombone – George "Buster" Cooper*, Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green; Trumpet – Bernie Glow, Clark Terry, Carl Severinsen*, Ernie Royal, Joe Newman

Blues for a Stripper

Monday, September 25, 2023

Benny Bailey & Phil Woods - Big Brass / Rights Of Swing

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:43
Size: 180.2 MB
Styles: Hard bop
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[ 5:49] 1. Hard Sock Dance
[ 6:51] 2. Alison
[ 7:03] 3. Tipsy
[ 5:31] 4. Please Say Yes
[ 8:10] 5. A Kiss To Build The Dream On
[ 6:35] 6. Maud's Wood
[ 6:35] 7. Rights Of Swing: Prelude And Part 1
[ 7:42] 8. Rights Of Swing: Pt. 2 Ballad
[ 5:43] 9. Rights Of Swing Part 3 Waltz
[11:24] 10. Rights Of Swing Part 4 Scherzo
[ 7:16] 11. Rights Of Swing Part 5 Presto

Benny Bailey (tp), Curtis Fuller (tb), Julius Watkins (frh), Phil Woods (as, b-cl), Sahib Shihab (bs), Tommy Flanagan (p), Les Spann (fl, g), Buddy Catlett (b), Art Taylor, Osie Johnson (d). Tracks #1-6, from the album “Benny Bailey – Big Brass” (Candid CJS9011). Tracks #7-11, from the album “Phil Woods – Rights of Swing” (Candid CJS9016). Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered.

This memorable pairing of trumpeter Benny Bailey’s Big Brass and altoist Phil Woods’ Rights of Swing unites two albums which illustrate the virtues and the possibilities of the hard bop idiom. Made within months of each other at the start of the 1960s, they share largely the same brilliant players, but use them somewhat differently to achieve outstanding results.

For Big Brass Bailey had a blowing septet that included Woods, pianist Tommy Flanagan and French hornist Julius Watkins, and a programme mostly of originals, including pieces by Quincy Jones and Oliver Nelson. Simple arrangements gave the soloists a chance to shine and they took it, with Bailey, Woods, Flanagan and Watkins outstanding on the blues “Hard Sock Dance” and “Maud’s Mood” (with Woods on bass clarinet), and on “Tipsy” and “Please Say Yes” in particular.

Rights of Swing is even better, an ambitious, unfailingly inventive, five-part suite composed and arranged by Woods, with the same group, with minor changes, expanded to an octet that included trombonists Curtis Fuller or Willie Dennis, and baritonist Sahib Shihab. Imaginatively conceived and deftly crafted writing lends the octet a huge sound, while the soloists respond magnificently to the opportunities it offers, notably on “Part III (Ballad)”, the contrapuntal “Part IV (Scherzo)” and a marvellous “Part V (Presto)”. Its success makes it surprising that Woods didn’t attempt this kind of project more often.

Big Brass / Rights Of Swing

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Mark Colby - Reflections

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:33
Size: 130,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:59) 1. Close Enough For Love
(4:22) 2. Myth Mary's Blues
(6:13) 3. Reflections
(5:40) 4. Desafinado
(5:22) 5. Like Someone in Love
(6:11) 6. Blues Connotation
(6:26) 7. So in Love
(4:24) 8. Caroline's Romp
(5:45) 9. Somewhere Over the Rainbow
(5:08) 10. Squires Parlor

Reflections, the eighth CD as leader or co-leader by one of the Chicago area's most undervalued treasures, tenor saxophonist Mark Colby, is a tribute, he writes, to "the things that shaped and moved me when I was just a kid," as well as to friends, family and artists who nourished his growth and served as a catalyst for his becoming a musician. The studio date is dedicated to Colby's father, "who started me on my journey at age eight," and to one of Colby's earliest role models, tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, who died on July 25, 2008.

"Desafinado" is addressed to another of Colby's original mentors, Stan Getz, who befriended a teenage Colby and helped shape his young friend's approach to the tenor while introducing him to Brazilian music. To this day, Colby's abstractions display an unmistakable Getzian character even though the sound is pure Colby. Besides Colby, the first-rank quartet on "Desafinado" consists of guitarist Mike Pinto, bassist Eric Hochberg and drummer Bob Rummage.

Elsewhere, Colby uses pianist Jeremy Kahn to round out the group, is accompanied only by Hochberg and Rummage on "Myth Mary's Blues," Johnny Burke/Jimmy van Heusen's "Like Someone in Love" and Harold Arlen/E.Y Harburg's "Over the Rainbow." Three special guests alto saxophonist Phil Woods, trumpeter Bob Lark and pianist Ron Perillo help brighten the easygoing finale, Woods's "Squires Parlor."

Besides "Myth Mary," written for his wife, Colby composed "Reflections" and "Caroline's Romp," the last presumably for a daughter (or granddaughter). Completing the program are Johnny Mandel's "Close Enough for Love," Ornette Coleman's capricious "Blues Connotation" and Cole Porter's enchanting ballad from the Broadway musical Kiss Me, Kate, "So in Love" (a second dedication to Colby's wife).

Kahn solos earnestly on "Reflections," "So in Love" and "Caroline's Romp," Pinto on "Desafinado" and "Blues Connotation" but none more so than Colby, who makes every note and phrase shimmer like sunlight on water. While he remains more or less unknown beyond his Chicago base, sooner or later the word on Colby is bound to spread, and that word is brilliant. By Jack Bowers
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/reflections-mark-colby-origin-records-review-by-jack-bowers

Personnel: Mark Colby: tenor sax; Jeremy Kahn: piano (1, 3, 7, 8); Ron Perillo: piano (10); Mike Pinto: guitar: (4, 6); Eric Hochberg: bass; Bob Rummage: drums; Bob Lark: flugelhorn (10); Phil Woods: alto sax (10).

Reflections

Monday, May 1, 2023

Phil Woods - Bird with Strings...and More! Disc 1, Disc 2

Album: Bird with Strings...and More! Disc 1
Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:03
Size: 112,0 MB
Art: Front

( 4:14) 1. Just Friends
( 3:25) 2. Everything Happens To Me
( 3:00) 3. April In Paris
( 5:34) 4. Solitude
( 4:58) 5. You Go To My Head
( 5:28) 6. The Thrill Is Gone
( 9:06) 7. Willow Weep For Me
(10:30) 8. All The Things You Are
( 1:44) 9. Imitating Charlie Parker

Album: Bird with Strings...and More! Disc 2
Time: 53:19
Size: 124,2 MB

(6:11) 1. I'll Remember April
(4:58) 2. Easy To Love
(8:08) 3. And When We Are Young
(9:00) 4. The Best Thing For You / How Deep Is The Ocean
(3:40) 5. I Get Along Without You Very Well
(5:18) 6. Repetition
(4:59) 7. The Midnight Sun Will Never Set
(2:43) 8. Rocker
(6:03) 9. Temptation
(2:14) 10. Meeting Charlie Parker

Storyville Records is proud to present one of master saxophonist Phil Woods' most impressive projects, Bird With Strings... And More! Due for release on Storyville Records on March 3, 2023. The recording of this album took place in Tonhalle Zürich on June 13, 2005 with the help of pianist Ben Aronov, bassist Reggie Johnson, drummer Douglas Sides and the fantastic Zürich Chamber Orchestra.

The beautiful and characteristic sound of jazz and pop supported by a string orchestra is a very special and rare experience. Bird With Strings... And More! #use the classic album Charlie Parker With Strings as a point of departure. Charlie Parker, also known as Bird, recorded the original Charlie Parker With Strings in 1949 with a rhythm section plus a very small string section. On this recording, PW has written all new arrangements based on the original scores, and expanded the original arrangements to a much larger string section of 24/30 pieces and added a small woodwind section of oboe, flute and clarinet. Woods also proceeded to write a dozen extra arrangements with the same instrumentation.

PW pays perfect tribute to Bird and his original project, as he is the continuator of Bird's music, spirit and life, but PW has his very own sound signature, sometimes warm and sometimes volcanic. PW was not only an extraordinary alto saxophonist, but also an incredible composer and arranger. He is a modern jazz giant and one of the most important alto saxophonists in the history of jazz. Woods was known for a lyrical and beautiful sound making him one of the most popular musicians in mainstream jazz.

Born in 1931, he was influenced by Charlie Parker and Lennie Tristano, but worked in both jazz and pop influencing artists like Kenny G and a whole generation of alto played in jazz. This is emotional music for lovers, so savor the moment and relax in the company of one of the true masters! By Editorial Reviews
https://www.amazon.com/Bird-Strings-More-Phil-Woods/dp/B0BRT689VG

Personnel: Phil Woods - saxophone; Ben Aronov - piano; Reggie Johnson - bass; Douglas Sides - drums; Zürich Chamber Orchestra

Bird with Strings...and More!Disc 1, Disc 2

Monday, September 5, 2022

Friedrich Gulda & His Sextet - At Birdland

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:00
Size: 176.3 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[ 0:38] 1. Theme Song Vienna Discussion
[ 0:49] 2. Pee Wee Marquette Introduces Friedrich Gulda And His Sextet
[ 5:21] 3. Scruby
[ 4:29] 4. Dark Glow
[ 4:23] 5. A Night In Tunisia
[ 3:03] 6. Dodo
[ 5:13] 7. Air From Other Planets
[ 3:25] 8. New Shoes
[10:07] 9. Bernie's Tune
[ 3:04] 10. Quintet
[ 3:55] 11. Introvert
[ 8:25] 12. Out Of Nowhere
[ 4:46] 13. Teheran
[ 7:38] 14. All The Things You Are
[ 5:34] 15. Cool Hill
[ 6:01] 16. Lullaby Of Birdland

Alto Saxophone – Phil Woods; Bass – Aaron Bell; Drums – Nick Stabulas; Piano – Friedrich Gulda; Tenor Saxophone – Seldon Powell; Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland; Trumpet – Idrees Sulieman. Live at "Birdland", New York City, June 28 (tracks 1-5, 7, 8, 15 & 16) and 29 (tracks 6, 9 & 14), 1956. Tracks 1-9 from the RCA Victor album "Friedrich Gulda At Birdland" (LPM 1398) Tracks 10-16 from the Decca album "A Man of Letters (LK 4189).

Friedrich Gulda was a classical pianist of international stature who, following a meeting with Dizzy Gillespie in 1951, embarked on an attachment with jazz. This eventually led to his first regular American appearance at Birdland in New York City in 1956 which has been captured in this Fresh Sounds reissue. The impresario John Hammond was the driving force behind this Birdland session which was originally released on two 12" albums, the first by RCA Victor entitled Friedrich Gulda At Birdland and the second by Decca called A Man Of Letters. Hammond was fully aware that, while there might be some curiosity value in such an appearance by a classically trained pianist, he needed to ensure that Gulda had the opportunity to succeed and thus he put together a front line that was supportive and collaborative. The bassist and drummer were also known for their swing and steady timekeeping. The song set was a combination of Gulda original compositions and "head" arrangements of popular and jazz standards designed to engage the audience.

Now while it is accurate to say that all the tracks were recorded at Birdland, not all of them were performed live. All nine Gulda compositions were recorded in the afternoon without an audience, much like a recording studio, and the other five jazz-oriented tunes were done with an audience during the evening sessions. The Gulda compositions are intricately constructed with a chamber jazz feel but allow space for solos by the members of the band. Dark Glow is a sensuous ballad designed to showcase the creative alto sax of Phil Woods. Another piece in the same vein is Cool Hill which has a modelled structure for Woods to shine. Seldon Powell's cool tenor sax is prominently featured on Air From Other Planets. The real goodies on this disc are the live tracks from Birdland and all are swingers. The first substantive taste of Gulda's pianistic style shows up on a trio version of A Night In Tunisia. With Aaron Bell on bass and Nick Stabulas on drums, Gulda romps through the tune with strong single-note phrasing in a Bud Powell mode, but with a percussive note-striking style reminiscent of Eddie Costa. An extended version of Bernie's Tune has all the elements of a jam session, with strong choruses from all members of the band. Out Of Nowhere becomes a vehicle for trombonist Jimmy Cleveland where his creative and enthusiastic offerings are fully evident. Idrees Sulieman, a somewhat under-appreciated trumpeter, shows that he deserves more attention with some fine soloing on All The Things You Are. Finally the George Shearing classic Lullaby Of Birdland allows Gulda to take a block-chord Shearingesque attack on this signature tune. This is an interesting and noteworthy addition to any record collection. ~Pierre Giroux

At Birdland

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Phil Woods - Groovin' To Marty Paich

Styles: Clarinet and Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:08
Size: 123,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:16) 1. Groovin' High
(4:07) 2. Walkin' Shoes
(5:57) 3. I've Never Been In Love Before
(3:35) 4. Round Midnight
(4:19) 5. Donna Lee
(6:49) 6. Moanin'
(4:12) 7. Anthropology
(4:06) 8. Violets For Your Furs
(4:04) 9. Bernie's Tune
(3:13) 10. Airegin
(4:03) 11. Too Close For Comfort
(4:21) 12. Shaw' Nuff

At a 2004 West Coast jazz festival presented by producer Ken Poston, altoist Phil Woods was featured performing Marty Paich arrangements with the Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra. The re-created charts were originally recorded by Art Pepper in the 1950s, with the majority drawn from the famous Art Pepper + Eleven album. Woods has a different sound and a slightly different style than Pepper, but his playing is certainly complementary and a logical choice for this project. Pianist Christian Jacob directed the 12-piece orchestra and, although his verbal introductions are sometimes a bit awkward, the music works quite well. Woods, who takes a rare clarinet solo on "Anthropology" (which he jokes about), is in top form throughout. Highlights include "Groovin' High," "Walkin' Shoes," "Bernie's Tune," and "Shaw 'Nuff." Fans of West Coast jazz will enjoy this intriguing reinterpretation of Marty Paich's classic charts.~Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/groovin-to-marty-paich-mw0000253029

Personnel: Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Phil Woods; Alto Saxophone – Don Shelton ; Baritone Saxophone – Bob Carr; Bass – Chris Conner; Bass Trombone – Rich Bullock; Drums – Paul Kreibich; Piano – Christian Jacob; Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon; Trombone – Scott Whitfield; Trumpet – Frank Szabo, Steve Huffsteter; Vibraphone – Brad Dutz

Groovin' To Marty Paich

Saturday, November 20, 2021

David Basse - Uptown

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:03
Size: 119.2 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[5:10] 1. Uptown
[2:34] 2. Something Fried
[3:32] 3. 52nd & Broadway
[6:04] 4. Like Jazz
[3:29] 5. You Won't Hear Me Say Goodbye
[3:26] 6. Living Without You
[4:04] 7. Slow Boat To China
[4:17] 8. Parker's Mood
[4:35] 9. Bidin' My Time
[4:09] 10. Traffic Jam
[6:16] 11. But Anyhow The Blues Don't Care
[4:20] 12. I've Got The World On A String

David Basse: vocals; Phil Woods: alto saxophone; Mike Melvoin: piano; Steve Gilmore: bass; Bill Goodwin: drums.

West Coast singer Mark Winkler (Sweet Spot [Cafe Pacific Records, 2011]) heard David Basse and immediately signed him to his Cafe Pacific Records. Uptown is the first product of this partnership and, for the sake of the male jazz singer, does not come a moment too soon. There exists a huge disparity between female and male singers singing "serious" jazz. For the sake of context, the serious male jazz singers include Mark Murphy and Jon Hendricks (both in the autumn of their spectacular careers) as well as Kurt Elling and Andy Bey (still vital). The vast majority of what passes for as male jazz singers are more cabaret singers, the finest ones including Jim Caruso (The Swing Set [Yellow Sound Music, 2011]) and the aforementioned Winkler.

Basse has one of those confident yet moody voices that totally lacks self-consciousness, something necessary for jazz vocals. His recital on Uptown is a compelling collection of standards and originals tending toward a more conservative (read that: mainstream) vein of vocal performance. However, Basse is not afraid to take on King Pleasure and his brilliant adaptation of Charlie Parker's "Parker's Mood." In doing so, Basse pays special homage to those artists and the art of vocalese, a dying art in competency. Add the presence of Parker scholar Phil Woods and a sublime performance emerges. A perfect union of the blues in jazz, Woods introduces the piece with a chorus of the real thing. Pianist Mike Melvoin and Woods get grand solo space and proceed to show why this "old music" is so important. Basse plays things pretty straight without harnessing the ebullient personality of Pleasure, Parker, the blues, or jazz. ~C. Michael Bailey

Uptown

Friday, October 29, 2021

Dizzy Gillespie - Dizzy In Greece

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:54
Size: 97,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:40) 1. Hey Pete
(3:47) 2. Yesterdays
(4:18) 3. Tin Tin Deo
(3:22) 4. Groovin' for Nat
(4:06) 5. Annie's Dance
(4:56) 6. Cool Breeze
(4:22) 7. School Days
(3:14) 8. That's All
(4:14) 9. Stable Mates
(3:52) 10. Groovin' High

Dizzy's in Greece, looking very cool in a fez on the cover and really wailing hard with a larger group that includes Billy Mitchell, Charlie Persip, Lee Morgan, Wynton Kelly, and Phil Woods! The mode here is still quite boppish, despite the larger size of the ensemble but Dizzy also manages to bring in some of those wonderfully rich colors that were coming into his later work a tonal depth that's completely amazing, and which pushed Gillespie way past his simple roots of the 40s, into a space that made him one of the most expressive jazz leaders of the 50s. The horn charts alone are totally great and Dizzy's got a wonderful talent for letting the key soloists step out with a really strong voice in the set and although short, the tunes have an incredible reach overall. Titles include "Tin Tin Deo", "Yesterdays", "Groovin' High", "Hey Pete", "Arnnie's Dance", and "Groovin' for Nat". © 1996-2021, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/1776/Dizzy-Gillespie:Dizzy-In-Greece

Personnel: Dizzy Gillespie, trumpet and leader; Joe Gordon, trumpet; Quincy Jones, trumpet; E.V. Perry, trumpet; Carl Warwick, trumpet; Melba Liston, trombone; Frank Rehak, trombone; Rod Levitt, bass trombone; Jimmy Powell, alto saxophone; Phil Woods, alto saxophone; Billy Mitchell, tenor saxophone; Ernie Wilkins, tenor saxophone; Marty Flax, baritone saxophone; Walter Davis, Jr., piano; Nelson Boyd, bass; Charli Persip, drums

Dizzy In Greece

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen - This Is All I Ask

Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen - This Is All I Ask

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop 
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:37
Size: 123,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:57)  1. O, Tysta Ensamhet
(5:25)  2. I Skovens Dybe Stille Ro
(4:44)  3. Traces Of The Past
(4:00)  4. Just In Time
(4:39)  5. Summer Song
(5:01)  6. The Song Is You
(9:12)  7. This Is All I Ask
(6:38)  8. As Is
(5:54)  9. Taking The Chance On Love
(4:04) 10. Fantasy In D Minor

It is surprising that first-call bassist Niels Pedersen has recorded relatively few dates as a leader during his decades-long career; This Is All I Ask proves to be one of his most eclectic and rewarding CDs, as he's accompanied by guitarist Ulf Wakenius and drummer Jonas Johansen, and several special guests. His singing, lyrical tone on his instrument comes across right away, especially on the two traditional melodies "Quiet Solitude" and "Tranquility in the Woods," the latter featuring pianist Oscar Peterson in a relatively rare appearance as a sideman during his later years. The European pop singer Monique is someone Pedersen discovered when he heard her on his daughter's radio; he showcases her on a funky original called "Summer Song" (not to be confused with Dave Brubeck's well-known piece of the same name). 


The Swedish singer Monica Zetterlund, who occasionally worked with pianist Bill Evans when he toured Europe, is joined by alto sax great Phil Woods and Pedersen's trio for a heartfelt, swinging take of "Taking a Chance on Love," while Woods is the sole guest heard on the slow, very emotional rendition of "This Is All I Ask." Pedersen's trio tracks are all first-rate as well. His virtuoso side comes across in another original work, "Traces of the Past," while his playful post-bop reading of the old show tune "Just in Time" is the cooker of the entire set. Not widely distributed outside of Europe, this is easily one of Niels Pedersen's finest recordings. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/this-is-all-i-ask-mw0000040329

Personnel: Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen; Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Ulf Wakenius; Alto Saxophone – Phil Woods; Drums – Jonas Johansen; Piano – Oscar Peterson; Vocals – Monica Zetterlund 

This Is All I Ask

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Phil Woods, Michela Lombardi - Sing & Play Phil Woods Songbook, Vol. 1

Styles: Vocal And Saxophone Jazz  
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:32
Size: 123,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:53)  1. Aimee
(6:43)  2. The Last Page
(4:02)  3. A Man Of Heart And Mind
(3:08)  4. Rain Go Away
(5:36)  5. Without You
(4:42)  6. There Was Once A Man
(5:25)  7. My Man Benny
(6:22)  8. Nicole
(6:39)  9. Sweet Petite Chanson
(6:57) 10. Samba Dubois

Phil Woods, a heavyweight of Alto Sachs, who is also called by Charlie Parker, who is a beautiful European jazz vocalist, who sings Phil Woods' masterpiece . Even today, whether to become 80 years old, there is no decline in the activity. Bap Tune is one of the best woods, but he is also known as a great composer. This album has been reborn as a vocal number by carefully selected 10 songs from Woods' original songs by Michela Lombardi & Phil Woods, the leading jazz singer in Italy. Fortunately, the composer Woods also participates and listens to the play full of singing. It will be a hit since Michela ’s popular work “So April Hearted” (LTCD0164), and for Woods, this album will be a recent masterpiece. (From jazzyell) Translate By Google https://diskunion.net/jazz/ct/detail/W448

Personnel: Michela Lombardi (vo), Phil Woods (sax), Piero Frassi (p, key), Filippo Pedol (b), Andrea Melani (ds)

Sing & Play Phil Woods Songbook, Vol. 1

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Phil Woods,Irio De Paula - Encontro (On Jobim)

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:57
Size: 129,3 MB
Art: Front

(7:04)  1. Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar
(4:50)  2. Samba do Aviao
(5:10)  3. O Grande Amor
(6:03)  4. Corcovado
(5:57)  5. A Felicidade
(3:57)  6. Brigas, Nunca Mais
(5:45)  7. Retrato em Branco e Preto
(7:11)  8. Ana Luiza
(5:05)  9. Days of Wine and Roses
(4:52) 10. Autumn Leaves

" Life - wrote Vinicius de Moraes - is the art of encounter ". Philology dedicates a good part of its rich and varied catalog to this art. The label of Piangiarelli has always offered meetings, more or less occasional, of unpublished ensembles: musical stories of a single day. On the other hand this poetic precariousness is one of the foundations of jazz and of all music based on improvisation ..Phil Woods , eponymous deity of the Italian label, was obviously the protagonist of many of these "meet and say goodbye". In May 2000 , in five days, he recorded seven of these discs. One of these is "Encontro (on Jobim)" recorded, in a single afternoon, with Irio De Paula .C hi looking for new musical paths in operations of this kind would obviously be disappointed. The two musicians could only work on popular and popular songs: Jobim songs , and among the most well-known, or standard, so to speak, very " busy " as " Autumn Leaves ". N Despite this, the final result is very good. De Paula's guitar and Woods's clarinet dialogue in the quiet and rarefied atmospheres of bossa nova. Softly, with melancholy elegance and poetic disenchantment. Come to mind, listening to the melodic digressions of the two, the verses of Vinicius (Ancora he) dedicated to the samba, which is a direct ancestor of the bossa " To make good samba we need a bit of melancholy (a bocado de tristezza), ... it is the sadness made dance, it is white with skin in the poem, but it is black at the bottom of the heart ". Spleen Anglo-Saxon, Brazilian saudade, subtle mal of Africa. There is all this in the brief meeting of these two musicians, whose extraordinary qualities do not even mention: there would only come out banality.A record that will not enter the jazz legend, but to be heard often. Especially when you want something that is beautiful without being demanding. A disc, like certain wines, for meditation.
Marco Buttafuoco for Jazzitalia Translate by Google http://www.jazzitalia.net/recensioni/encontroonjobim.asp#.XWstcC5KiUk

Personnel: Phil Woods - Clarinet; Irio De Paula - acoustic guitar

Encontro (On Jobim)

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Jon Gordon - Jon Gordon Quartet

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:53
Size: 177,5 MB
Art: Front

( 5:48)  1. One For Charles
( 7:30)  2. The Trust Of A Child
( 6:23)  3. Evidence
( 6:04)  4. Time Trap
( 6:25)  5. What's New
( 6:53)  6. Land Of Ephysus
( 7:18)  7. My Shining Hour
(10:07)  8. Earth Song
( 5:36)  9. Pass It On, Jon
(14:46) 10. Jazzspeak

Jon Gordon's U.S. debut as a leader is an impressive start. Clearly one to watch on his main instrument, alto sax, he kicks things off with an uptempo, somewhat exotic original, "One for Charles." He also has a nice sound on the soprano on his engaging ballad "The Trust of a Child." The strong supporting cast was a functioning quartet at the time of the recording: pianist Kevin Hays, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Bill Stewart. Gordon was also clearly inspired by his former teacher, Phil Woods, who is present on several tracks, including an original dedicated to the younger man, "Pass It On, Jon." ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-jon-gordon-quartet-mw0000932334

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Jon Gordon;  Alto Saxophone – Phil Woods; Bass – Scott Colley; Drums – Bill Stewart; Piano – Kevin Hays

Jon Gordon Quartet

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Chris Connor - Sings Ballads Of The Sad Cafe

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:46
Size: 87,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:37)  1. These Foolish Things
(3:14)  2. Bargain Day
(3:48)  3. The End Of A Love Affair
(3:30)  4. Glad To Be Unhappy
(5:00)  5. Ballad Of The Sad Cafe
(4:23)  6. Good Morning Heartache
(4:27)  7. Something I Dreamed Last Night
(4:51)  8. Lilac Wine
(4:52)  9. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)

Chris Connor uses several different musical settings for this album of torch songs, but the main distinction is between the arrangements that employ strings, such as "The End of a Love Affair," and those that use horns, such as "Bargain Day." The backgrounds color Connor's vocal interpretations, and she often interacts with the musicians, notably with flautist Eddy Jaspar in "These Foolish Things," a virtual duet. But her primary goal is to render the lyrics with a combination of precision and emotional distance. In this sense, the heart of the album is "Glad to Be Unhappy," which Connor begins by singing the rarely heard introductory verse, then gives musical coloration to by varying the notes at the end of each line. The listener is not meant to believe the emotions the lyrics describe, but rather to savor them along with the singer. Charles DeForest's "Ballad of the Sad Café," which takes nothing but its title from Carson McCullers' popular 1951 novella, is nevertheless literary in its descriptions of lonely people, and Connor, again through note alteration, gives it a reading that puts it at a further emotional remove. The trick, of course, is that the singer's posture puts her in an even darker position than that of the songwriters; at least they are still feeling something, while she seems to be so far from love that she is denying all feeling. And in that denial, her torch burns all the brighter. ~ William Rulhmann https://www.allmusic.com/album/sings-ballads-of-the-sad-cafe-mw0000478244  

Personnel:  Vocals – Chris Connor; Alto Saxophone – Marshall Royal, Phil Woods; Baritone Saxophone – Charlie Fowlkes; Bass – Don Payne, Eddie Jones; Cello [Violoncello] – Dave Soyer, Maurice Brown; Conductor, Arranged By – Ralph Sharon; Drums – Billy Exiner, Ed Shaughnessy, Sonny Payne; Flute – Bobby Jaspar; Guitar – Barry Galbraith, Freddie Green, Kenny Burrell; Piano – Stan Free ; Reeds [Saxes] – Bobby Jaspar, Jerry Sanfino, Morton Lewis, Stan Webb, Steve Perlow Tenor Saxophone – Frank Foster, Seldon Powell; Trombone – Al Grey, Eddie Bert, Frank Rehak, Dick Hixon, Wayne Andre,  Willie Dennis; Trumpet – Donald Byrd, Ernie Royal, Harry Edison, Joe Newman, Snooky Young; Viola – Dave Markowitz, Isadore Zir; Violin – Gene Orloff, George Ockner, Harry Katzman, Harry Melnikoff, Harry Urbont, Leo Kruczek, Mac Ceppos, Ray Free, Sam Rand, Sylvan Shulman, Tosha Samaroff;

Sings Ballads Of The Sad Cafe

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Phil Woods - Musique Du Bois

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:30
Size: 125,0 MB
Art: Front

( 7:02)  1. Samba Du Bois
(10:11)  2. Willow Weep For Me
( 8:27)  3. Nefertiti
( 9:12)  4. The Last Page
( 7:20)  5. The Summer Knows
( 6:00)  6. Airegin
( 6:16)  7. Samba Du Bois - Alternative Take

On Musique Du Bois, things start with a chorded bass-alto workout in the intro of "Samba du Bois," actually more a hard bop than Brazilian excursion, with Phil Woods' alto frying on the edges. The most inventive juxtaposition of "All Blues" welded to "Willow Weep for Me" works perfectly over ten-plus minutes, in a steady but quick waltz tempo. This is a tour-de-force reading, Woods wafting over Jaki Byard's blue-green chords. During his solo, the pianist goes light blue in cascading, flowing phrases that tumble out of the 88 keys. "Nefertiti" is vastly different than the Miles Davis-Wayne Shorter original; where that one was haunting, sparse, swelling and free, Woods interprets this as an easy swinger, anchored on terra firma with Byard's scurrying solo and funky R&B coda a listener's delight. The band goes through definite time shifts, from easy bluesy groove to funk and hard bop during "The Last Page"; they swing "Airegin" pretty well; and during "The Summer Knows," the altoist confirms what many have long since known that he is an unsurpassed master when interpreting a standard in ballad form. A lilting alternate take of "Samba du Bois" is the more Latin-oriented one, same tempo but with drums and the trio introing and playing all the way through. This LP is a widely acknowledged modern jazz masterpiece, a classic in the discography of Woods, easily amongst the best five recordings of his long and storied career and a must-buy. 
~ Michael G.Nastos https://www.allmusic.com/album/musique-du-bois-mw0000207406

Personnel: Phil Woods - alto saxophone, composer; Jaki Byard - piano; Richard Davis - bass; Alan Dawson - drums

Musique Du Bois

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Nancy Harrow - Lost Lady

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:26
Size: 112,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:30)  1. House On The Low Round Hill
(3:33)  2. Railroad Man
(4:45)  3. If I Want To
(5:46)  4. Lost Lady
(3:38)  5. Happy Days/lost Lady
(3:04)  6. Self-esteem
(2:20)  7. Putting On Airs
(3:54)  8. Angry Blues
(5:44)  9. He's Gone
(3:37) 10. For The Last Time
(2:57) 11. Starting Over
(2:50) 12. This Life Is Mine
(2:44) 13. Happy Days

Singer Nancy Harrow certainly put a lot of work into this project, writing both words and music for all 13 originals. The recording is inspired by Willa Cather's brief novel Lost Lady, although the plot is given a more modern twist. 

Harrow utilizes a second singer (Vernel Bagneris, who serves as the narrator and male counterpoint), a top-notch rhythm section (pianist Dick Katz, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Ben Riley) and occasionally Phil Woods on alto and clarinet. While this is an interesting recording and everyone plays and sings well, none of the music is really all that memorable, and the songs do not stand alone if heard apart from the story. So it is a mixed success; well-conceived, ambitious and intriguing, if not essential. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/lost-lady-mw0000626767

Personnel:  Nancy Harrow ( Vocal ); Ben Riley ( Drums); Dick Katz ( Piano ); Phil Woods 
( Sax Alto) ); Vernel Bagneris ( Vocal ); Ray Drummond ( Bass )

Lost Lady

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Michel Legrand - After The Rain

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:28
Size: 100,6 MB
Art: Front

(8:54)  1. Nobody Knows
(6:21)  2. After The Rain
(6:28)  3. I Was Born In Love With You
(7:55)  4. Orson's Theme
(7:46)  5. Pieces Of Dreams
(6:02)  6. Martina (Les Enfants Qui Pleurent)

This high-quality outing (reissued on CD) features composer Michel Legrand faring quite well as a jazz pianist. He performs six of his compositions (only "Pieces of Dream" is well-known) with a lyrical septet also including altoist Phil Woods (doubling on clarinet), tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims, trumpeter Joe Wilder, guitarist Gene Bertoncini, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Grady Tate. The music generally swings, has plenty of fine melodic solos, and gives listeners a taste of some fresh Legrand material. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/after-the-rain-mw0000267685

Personnel:  Piano, Producer – Michel Legrand; Bass – Ron Carter; Drums – Grady Tate; Guitar – Gene Bertoncini; Saxophone – Zoot Sims; Saxophone, Clarinet – Phil Woods; Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Joe Wilder 
 

Friday, January 25, 2019

Johnny Richards Orquestra - Kiss Her Goodbye

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:27
Size: 179,9 MB
Art: Front

(1:22)  1. Intro & Theme
(1:55)  2. Kiss Her Goodbye
(2:28)  3. On the Wagon
(2:05)  4. Juke Jumps
(2:19)  5. Shutters
(3:04)  6. Nightmare
(1:40)  7. Playground
(3:27)  8. The Baby's Missing
(1:35)  9. At the Beach
(3:35) 10. Another Chance
(3:48) 11. Grown Up
(3:20) 12. Special Friends
(1:02) 13. Emily
(1:53) 14. Confession
(2:51) 15. End Title
(3:13) 16. The Moon Was Yellow
(0:50) 17. Theme
(4:13) 18. Ochun
(3:42) 19. Estoy Cansado
(7:31) 20. Dimples
(4:21) 21. Laura
(1:19) 22. Theme
(6:41) 23. Dimples
(4:56) 24. Band Aide
(4:06) 25. Laura

Johnny Richards was a forward-thinking arranger who incorporated Latin rhythms and dissonance, spending the early decades of his career working on Hollywood soundtracks before moving to New York City to contribute charts to Stan Kenton and leading his own band. Yet Richards has been badly neglected in the CD era, with few of his albums being reissued. This compilation is an important addition to his legacy, for it centers around an important, never-before-released soundtrack to the film Kiss Her Goodbye, shelved by Warner Bros. after the film (shot in Cuba) was seized following Fidel Castro's 1959 takeover. The source material came from a test pressing given to Richards by the label, which was tracked down by Uptown owner Bob Sunenblick, MD, with substantial help from discographers Michael Sparke and Jack Hartley in the identification of the musicians and song titles. The first 15 selections were recorded for the soundtrack, though they were likely only excerpted in the movie, as is typically the case, even though all of them are under four minutes. Some of the highlights include the breezy "Juke Jumps" (with fine solos by Phil Woods, Jimmy Cleveland, Burt Collins, and Ray Copeland), the mellow ballad "Shutters" featuring the trombone section and muted trumpet, and the suspenseful "The Baby's Missing" (showcasing Gene Quill's explosive alto). It is a shame that the movie was never completed, but at least Johnny Richards impressive soundtrack is finally available. The only previously issued track is "The Moon Is Yellow" from an LP by the Luis Tiramani Orchestra, with the arrangement credited to Tiramani but very likely ghost written by Richards. The final nine songs come from a pair of 1959 NBC radio broadcasts, with his mellow, playful original "Dimples" and lush, richly textured setting of "Laura" (both heard in two separate performances), which best display the arranger's gifts. The detailed liner notes and period photographs add value of this valuable, long lost music. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/kiss-her-goodbye-new-york-city-1958-1959-mw0002146822

Johnny Richards - composer;  Ray Copeland, Clyde Reasinger, Burt Collins, Jerry Kail - trumpet;  Jimmy Cleveland, Jim Dahl, Billy Byers - trombone;  Al Antonucci - French horn;  Phil Woods - alto sax;  Frank Socolow - tenor sax;  Billy Slapin - baritone sax;  Shelly Gold - bas sax;  Bobby Pancoast - piano; Chet Amsterdam - acoustic double bass;  Charlie Persip, drums.

Kiss Her Goodbye

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Oliver Nelson - Fantabulous

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:36
Size: 82,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:13)  1. Hobo Flats
(5:30)  2. Post No Bills
(3:47)  3. A Bientot
(3:25)  4. Three Plus One
(5:28)  5. Take Me With You
(4:01)  6. Daylie's Double
(4:08)  7. Teenie's Blues
(3:59)  8. Laz-ie Kate

By the time Oliver Nelson and his big band had recorded Fantabulous in March of 1964 for Argo, the great composer, saxophonist, conductor, and arranger was a man about town in New York. He had released some truly classic dates of his own as a leader in smaller group forms Blues and the Abstract Truth and Full Nelson among them and had done arrangement work for everyone from Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Johnny Hodges, Nancy Wilson, Frank Wess, King Curtis, Etta Jones, Jimmy Smith, Jack Teagarden, Betty Carter, Billy Taylor, and Gene Ammons, to name more than a few. For Fantabulous, he took his working big band to Chicago for a gig sponsored by Daddy-O-Daylie, a famous local disc jockey. He had also worked with a number of the players on this date before, even recording an earlier version of the tune "Hobo Flats" that opens this set a year before on an album of the same name. Altoist Phil Woods, baritone roarer Jerome Richardson, trumpeters Snooky Young and Art Hoyle, bassist Ben Tucker, and drummer Grady Tate are a few of the names on Fantabulous. Nelson holds down the tenor chair, and Patti Bown is on piano with additional brass and reed players. Another Nelson original, "Post No Bills" features killer alto work from Woods, and a brief but smoking hot baritone break form Richardson on the same cut. This program is compelling in that it provides an excellent meld of all of Nelson's strengths-as an advanced, colorful harmonist who insisted on the hard swinging esthetic, as an excellent tenor saxophonist and a killer conductor. Another highlight is "Daylie's Double," (which bears a similarity to Nat Adderley's "Work Song"") named for the aforementioned DJ, with smoking tenor breaks from Nelson, and big fat soulful chord soloing from Bown. Likewise Billy Taylor's "A Bientot," it opens in true big brass Ellingtonian elegance, and unravels itself as a gorgeous bluesy ballad with echoes of "I Only Have Eyes for You" in its melody. The subtle shades of flute and twinned clarinet are a nice touch before the entire band arrives to carry it out on a big yet tenderly expressive lyric cloud. That said, there isn't a weak moment here, there isn't anything that doesn't captivate, delight, and even astonish, as in the smoking, striated harmonic bop head on "Three Plus One." It's almost amazing it took more than 20 years before this appeared on American shores on CD, but at last, here it is in excellent sound at a budget price as part of Verve's Originals series. This is for those who are fans who don't have it yet (and who are unwilling to pay high collector's fees for good vinyl copies or the wages of Japanese import insanity), and those wondering where to begin with Nelson the arranger. ~ Thom Jurek https://www.allmusic.com/album/fantabulous-mw0000493692

Personnel:  Oliver Nelson - tenor saxophone, arranger and conductor;  Phil Woods - alto saxophone, clarinet;  Kenny Soderblom - alto sax, flute;  Bob Ashton - tenor sax, clarinet;  Jerome Richardson - baritone saxophone, flute, alto flute;  Art Hoyle, Snooky Young - trumpet;  Ray Weigand - trombone;  Tony Studd - bass trombone;  Patti Bown - piano;  Ben Tucker - bass;  Grady Tate - drums

Fantabulous