"Phil Woods is a guest of the SWR Big Band on this German CD, which was taped live in the spring of 1996. This decades-old orchestra provides not only superb backing for the legendary alto saxophonist, but also features several talented soloists joining Woods throughout the concert. The infrequently heard "Serpent's Tooth" (written by Miles Davis) starts this concert with a burst of adrenaline, with brief but effective solos by Woods and trumpeter Karl Farrent. Phil Woods seems to rise to the occasion no matter what the setting, but the strong performance of the SWR Big Band also helps to make this a highly recommended CD." (Allmusic)
Italiaanse heruitgave op CD van album dat oorspronkelijk in 1969 op het Verve-label verscheen. De altsaxofonist is hier te horen met groot jazzorkest vol hotshots, als Thad Jones (trompet, bugel), Jimmy Cleveland (trombone) en Herbie Hancock (piano). Ook een strijkerssectie is present. Woods spreidt op geïnspireerde en ontzagwekkende wijze zijn virtuoze speltechniek op de altsax ten toon in vaak snelle loopjes en omspelingen.
Hybride SACD, die dus ook af te draaien is op een gewone CD-speler. De Keulse bigband, ditmaal onder leiding van Bill Dobbins en met gastsolist Phil Woods op altsax en klarinet (naast prima eigen solisten als trompettist John Marshall). De opnamen zijn gemaakt in 1994: Duke Ellington stond toen in het middelpunt tijdens de MusikTriennale Cologne. Er wordt gefocust op werken uit z'n late periode, afgewisseld met nieuwe arrangementen van overbekende Ellinton & Strayhorn-stukken. Zo horen we hier delen uit de suites "Far East Suite" (1966) en "Such Sweet Thunder" (1957), met daartussen "Take The Coltrane" (geschreven voor de plaat met John Coltrane in 1962) en het overbekende "Caravan" (1936), een vroeg voorbeeld van latin-invloeden in jazz.
"This high-quality outing 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, Allmusic)
"As the greatest musical heir on alto sax to Charlie Parker, it seemed only natural for Phil Woods to record a date with Dizzy Gillespie. This European studio session features Dizzy as a special guest sitting in with one of Woods' greatest quintets, with pianist Hal Galper and the brilliant trumpeter and flugelhornist Tom Harrell. In fact Dizzy's chops had already slipped somewhat during the decade and Harrell clearly outplays him even though he clearly isn't trying to embarrass the legendary trumpeter. Gillespie is at his best with a muted solo on "'Round Midnight," while Woods, Harrell and Galper are all outstanding throughout the entire CD." (Ken Dryden, Allmusic)
"Altoist Phil Woods has recorded a countless number of records through the years, but few with a big band, and none previous to this release with an orchestra that he actually put together. Woods' quintet, which includes trumpeter Brian Lynch and pianist Bill Charlap, is expanded to 16 pieces for this release with such familiar associates as altoist Nelson Hill and trombonist Hal Crook (who is showcased on "Willow Weep for Me"). The altoist wrote most of the arrangements and contributed six of the nine compositions, including "Reet's Neet," "Goodbye Mr. Evans," and "All Bird's Children." The music is boppish but not overly predictable, and the charts are consistently colorful, making this an easily recommended set for straight-ahead jazz fans." (Scott Yanow, Allmusic)
"The second recorded matchup by altoist Phil Woods and Chris Swansen's synthesizers is the equal of the first. Once again, Woods' regular group (with pianist Hal Galper, bassist Steve Gilmore and drummer Bill Goodwin) interacts with the two co-leaders, although this time around an extra plus are the two vocals by Kim Parker (on "'Round Midnight" and "Piper's Mood"). The repertoire mixes together bop standards (including three Charlie Parker songs) with atmospheric originals by the co-leaders. This unlikely collaboration once again is successful, containing more than its share of surprising moments." (Scott Yanow, Allmusic)
Heerlijke saxofoonklanken. Claude Tissendier van Saxomania werkt hier samen met Phil Woods, de Amerikaanse jazz-altsaxofonist en -klarinettist. - "Claude Tissendier born 1 October 1952 in Toulouse is a French jazz reedist and bandleader. Tissendier studied classical music as well as jazz, and began playing in Paris in 1977 with Claude Bolling, Ornicar, Gérard Badini, Jean-Loup Longnon, and François Laudet. He founded an ensemble in tribute to John Kirby in 1983, then formed Saxomania, a seven-piece band which played with Benny Carter, Guy Lafitte, Spike Robinson, Clark Terry, and Phil Woods. This is the follow up to the Saxomania album." (Wikipedia, GK)
"A pair of formerly rare quintet sets featuring altoist Phil Woods are combined on this CD. One session was actually led by guitarist Jimmy Raney in 1954 (and also includes trumpeter John Wilson, bassist Bill Crow and drummer Joe Morello) while the other group (with trumpeter Howard McGhee, bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Roy Haynes) was headed by pianist Dick Hyman in 1959. Both bop-oriented dates have their moments, with the edge going to Hyman's session." (Scott Yanow, Allmusic)
"Altoist Phil Woods took a rare vacation from playing with his regular group to collaborate with pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist George Mraz and drummer Kenny Washington on this fine straight-ahead quartet date. The 13 selections are fairly concise (clocking in between 3-7 minutes apiece) and most of the material (other than "Canadian Sunset," "Yours Is My Heart Alone," "Blue and Sentimental" and Bill Evans' classic "Waltz for Debby") consists of either obscurities or recent originals. A special bonus is that Woods plays his appealing clarinet on three numbers. Highlights include "Charles Christopher" (a tribute to Charlie Parker), "Butter" and Hal Galper's "Just Us."" (Scott Yanow, Allmusic)
De zanger met de eeuwig jongensachtige stem en de superieure techniek nam met arrangeur Chris Gunning en diens orkest dit album op, met features voor altsaxofonist Phil Woods. Mede door Gunnings arrangementen neigt dit album vaak toch meer naar seventies-style-Sinatriaans croonerwerk, dan naar vocale jazz. Stevie Wonders ballad "All In Love Is Fair" is geknipt voor Tormés stembanden en Mel weet er nog swing in te leggen ook. "New York State of Mind" van Billy Joel is ook zo'n nummer dat vróeg om een grootse crooner-interpretatie. "Send In The Clowns" van Stephen Sondheim wordt hier ontdaan van de sentiment-deken die er normaliter dik overheengetrokken is en wordt hier een vrolijke swinger. Ewan McColls kippenvelballade "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" kan niet kapot en klinkt ook in Mels versie weer geweldig.
"For this lyrical album, altoist Phil Woods (who is joined by pianist Bob Corwin, bassist Sonny Dallas, and drummer Nick Stabulas) emphasizes ballads. He performs five standards (highlighted by "In Your Own Sweet Way," "I Love You," and "Like Someone in Love"), an obscurity, and two of his originals (including "Waltz for a Lovely Wife"). A tasteful, swinging, and boppish set, mostly played at slower tempos." (Scott Yanow, Allmusic)
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