Phil Woods Quintet – Ballads & Blues (Vinil 180g, LP dublu)

Phil Woods, one of the finest living alto saxophonists, returned to Venus Records after six years – this time with his star-studded quintet consisting of Brian Lynch (trumpet), Bill Charlap (piano), Steve Gilmore (bass), and Bill Goodwin (drums). Ballads & Blues—recorded at Avatar Studio in New York on June 20 and 21, 2008 – is Woods’ first songbook as a composer, dedicated to Billy Strayhorn, the legendary arranger and composer for Duke Ellington’s orchestra. Woods predominantly chooses slow and medium tempos and shines with his big, warm, and expressive tone, his soulful blues feeling, and his plaintive melancholy. “Ballads & Blues” is definitely one of the highlights of Woods’ discography, as “All About Jazz” aptly describes: „Alto saxophonist Phil Woods is an accomplished musician whose improvisational skills are unsurpassed. He follows in the footsteps of the Holy Trinity of alto saxophone – Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges, Charlie Parker – and has developed an unmistakable, influential style. If Paul Desmond’s sound is like a dry martini, then Woods’ sound is like a fine cognac, sensual and luxurious, with a masculine spice that warms the body. His apprenticeship with Charlie Barnet, Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Quincy Jones, Oliver Nelson, Buddy Rich, Thelonious Monk, and Clark Terry prepared him for his leadership role, particularly in his quartets and quintets, which for over 30 years have included bassist Steve Gilmore and drummer Bill Goodwin… “Ballads & Blues” celebrates compositions by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, as well as a composition by Hoagy Carmichael.”

Venus Records was founded in Japan in 1992 by Tetsuo Hara, who had previously worked as a producer for RCA Victor. The renowned label uses a special mastering process called “Hyper Magnum Sound,” which produces a powerful, dynamic sound and is highly regarded by audiophiles worldwide. A quick note: Venus LPs are pressed only once. Once the run is sold out, the title is removed from the catalog and will not be reissued. Collectors should therefore not wait too long to place their orders: the releases from the “Venus Masterpiece Collection” are extremely popular!

We recommend the use of „L’Art du Son” LP cleaner to wet wash your vinyl. Even new records of high quality production will benefit from this.

Lista pieselor

LP 1

Side A
1.    Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
2.    Ballad For Very Tired And Very Sad Lotus Eaters
3.    Rain Check

Side B:
1.    Isfahan
2.    Jonny Come Lately
3.    Take The A Train

LP 2

Side C
1.    Balcony Serenade
2.    Blood Count
3.    My Little Brown Book
4.    Lush Life

Side D
1.    Ballad Medley: I Didn’t Know About You / Lotus Blossom / Don’t You Know I Care
2.    How Little We Know