Phil Woods QuintetLIVE at the DEER HEAD INN
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Track List
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Album Reviews:
by Scott Yanow, Jazz Historian and Journalist
Two of the greatest jazz alto-saxophonists of all time passed away last year: Ornette Coleman (June 11) and Phil Woods (Sept. 29). As of this moment, the two CDs covered in this review are their final recordings although other slightly later sets may show up in the future.
Ornette Coleman, who recorded Sound Grammar in 2006, played on an occasional basis during his last decade. New Vocabulary, which was recorded in 2009, is drawn from a series of practice sessions that team the altoist with trumpeter Jordan McLean (who also plays electronics) and drummer Amir Ziv. Pianist Adam Holzman guests on three of the dozen selections. Despite the fact that these performances were not planned as recordings and the group lacks a bass, the music holds together quite well and is well recorded. Some of the songs (one assumes that they are all Coleman originals) are memorable particularly “Baby Food” and the brief “Wife Life.” Ornette Coleman is happily in prime form, inventing one melodic idea after another and, as usual, following his own musical path. McLean’s electronics give the ensembles a full and otherworldly feel while his trumpet playing sometimes recalls Don Cherry. Ziv’s drumming is supportive and Holzman’s piano adds some variety to the group’s sound. The adventurous New Vocabulary (available from www.systemdialingrecords.com) is easily recommended to Ornette Coleman fans.
Despite his gradually declining health, Phil Woods stayed active up until the end, announcing his retirement less than a month before his death. He is in excellent form on his Deer Head Inn set from Nov. 10, 2014. Performing with his renowned quintet (trumpeter Brian Lynch, bassist Steve Gilmore, drummer Bill Goodwin and new member but long-time associate pianist Bill Mays), Woods stretches out on six songs that clock in between 7:02-11;47. Whether it is Oscar Pettiford’s “Bohemia After Dark,” a rare instrumental version of Bob Dorough’s “I’ve Got Just About Everything” or a cooking version of “I’m Just A Lucky So And So,” Woods sounds excellent, Lynch is consistently explosive and the rhythm section swings hard. The Phil Woods Quintet always stood for the best in modern bebop and musical excellence. This final statement (available from www.deerheadinn.com) holds its own with their earlier classics.
Ornette Coleman, who recorded Sound Grammar in 2006, played on an occasional basis during his last decade. New Vocabulary, which was recorded in 2009, is drawn from a series of practice sessions that team the altoist with trumpeter Jordan McLean (who also plays electronics) and drummer Amir Ziv. Pianist Adam Holzman guests on three of the dozen selections. Despite the fact that these performances were not planned as recordings and the group lacks a bass, the music holds together quite well and is well recorded. Some of the songs (one assumes that they are all Coleman originals) are memorable particularly “Baby Food” and the brief “Wife Life.” Ornette Coleman is happily in prime form, inventing one melodic idea after another and, as usual, following his own musical path. McLean’s electronics give the ensembles a full and otherworldly feel while his trumpet playing sometimes recalls Don Cherry. Ziv’s drumming is supportive and Holzman’s piano adds some variety to the group’s sound. The adventurous New Vocabulary (available from www.systemdialingrecords.com) is easily recommended to Ornette Coleman fans.
Despite his gradually declining health, Phil Woods stayed active up until the end, announcing his retirement less than a month before his death. He is in excellent form on his Deer Head Inn set from Nov. 10, 2014. Performing with his renowned quintet (trumpeter Brian Lynch, bassist Steve Gilmore, drummer Bill Goodwin and new member but long-time associate pianist Bill Mays), Woods stretches out on six songs that clock in between 7:02-11;47. Whether it is Oscar Pettiford’s “Bohemia After Dark,” a rare instrumental version of Bob Dorough’s “I’ve Got Just About Everything” or a cooking version of “I’m Just A Lucky So And So,” Woods sounds excellent, Lynch is consistently explosive and the rhythm section swings hard. The Phil Woods Quintet always stood for the best in modern bebop and musical excellence. This final statement (available from www.deerheadinn.com) holds its own with their earlier classics.
Liner Notes
PHIL WOODS: “It was a logical delight for the Phil Woods Quintet, an old established firm (since 1974), to record for the new Deer Head Records label. It is a new label, but also an established firm, the oldest continuously operating jazz club in the country. I am reminded of a comment by my old boss, Dizzy Gillespie. When asked “How you doing, Birks?” he responded, "Well I'm not getting worse!" And I can honestly say both old established firms are not any the worse for wear! We hope fans of both will agree.”
BRIAN LYNCH: “It was a special evening indeed to record with the Quintet live at the historic Deer Head Inn, a site that has immense resonance in the history of the group. After 23 years in the band, it’s still a thrill, a honor, and a joyously accepted challenge to be on the bandstand with these great musicians. I think you’ll hear on this recording the love and respect we all have for each other manifested in sound, in real time. Grandmaster Phil Woods, cats: bravo!”
BILL MAYS: “I’m thrilled to have been a member of the quintet over the past several years and especially happy that I’ve had an opportunity to write for the band, and be part of this live recording.”
STEVE GILMORE: “It’s been an honor for me to "hit it" with these guys , and all the other gentlemen that have passed through the Phil Woods bands for some 40 years. I'd like to think that in that time we've developed a recognizable group sound. And to record for a live audience at the Deer Head Inn , which has been an integral part of my life since the late 50’s , makes it even more special. My hat’s off to the management of the Deer Head for continuing their dedication to live jazz that hopefully will continue ad in-fini-tum.”
BILL GOODWIN: “The origins of this band revolve around the Deer Head Inn. Steve and I played here together in the early 70's with Johnny Coates and after Phil arrived in the area In late ‘73 we jammed here also.The group formed in early ’74 with pianist Mike Mellilo who we met (guess where ) at the Deer Head. This new recording is the first with Bill Mays our latest pianist. I don't recall how many we have done with Brian since he has been in the band for 23+ years, joining in 92. Now we have come fill circle with this recording of the longest running jazz group at the longest continu- ously operating jazz club in the country.”
BRIAN LYNCH: “It was a special evening indeed to record with the Quintet live at the historic Deer Head Inn, a site that has immense resonance in the history of the group. After 23 years in the band, it’s still a thrill, a honor, and a joyously accepted challenge to be on the bandstand with these great musicians. I think you’ll hear on this recording the love and respect we all have for each other manifested in sound, in real time. Grandmaster Phil Woods, cats: bravo!”
BILL MAYS: “I’m thrilled to have been a member of the quintet over the past several years and especially happy that I’ve had an opportunity to write for the band, and be part of this live recording.”
STEVE GILMORE: “It’s been an honor for me to "hit it" with these guys , and all the other gentlemen that have passed through the Phil Woods bands for some 40 years. I'd like to think that in that time we've developed a recognizable group sound. And to record for a live audience at the Deer Head Inn , which has been an integral part of my life since the late 50’s , makes it even more special. My hat’s off to the management of the Deer Head for continuing their dedication to live jazz that hopefully will continue ad in-fini-tum.”
BILL GOODWIN: “The origins of this band revolve around the Deer Head Inn. Steve and I played here together in the early 70's with Johnny Coates and after Phil arrived in the area In late ‘73 we jammed here also.The group formed in early ’74 with pianist Mike Mellilo who we met (guess where ) at the Deer Head. This new recording is the first with Bill Mays our latest pianist. I don't recall how many we have done with Brian since he has been in the band for 23+ years, joining in 92. Now we have come fill circle with this recording of the longest running jazz group at the longest continu- ously operating jazz club in the country.”