Customer Reviews

Bouncing With Bud & Phil (Hybr)

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Make no mistake. These guys may be pushing 80, but they're both firebrands. Anyone familiar with Bud Shank's early "cool" period, may be surprised to discover that he's closer to Cannonball Adderley (or Phil Woods) in his sound and approach than to Paul Desmond (or Lee Konitz). As if it's not a sufficient honor simply to be sharing the bandstand with the altoist usually deemed the "master" (at least for the past 3 decades), Bud proves to be a formidable sparring partner, a genuine contender. Sure, it's about "play," but these guys both have competitive juices, and they're unmistakably duking it out with each other.

Upon hearing Bud take the first solo on the title tune, my reaction is, how can anyone play any better than that? It's only after Phil has had his say that you appreciate the "foundation" of his sound, the forward crispness of his articulations, the ease with which it all--the glissandos, the alternate fingerings, the clever exchanges with the drummer--flows from his horn. And viscerally, you soon find yourself bouncing in your seat. But even here, give Bud all the more credit for providing the igniting spark.

Alto saxophonists Bud Shank and Phil Woods recorded this live gem at Yoshi's in Oakland in November 2004 when Bud was 78 and Phil 73. Woods dubbed them a couple of "septuagenarian gladiators." With Mike Wofford on piano, Bob Magnuson on bass and Bill Goodwin on drums, the effort sounds like the work of a much younger front line. Shank solos on "Nature Boy" while Woods steps out on "Summer Serenade," written by another alto man, Benny Carter. Other tunes in the 70-minute CD include "Bouncing With Bud" by Bud Powell, "Carousels" by Shank and his wife Linda, "Helen's Song," "Gemma's Eyes" and "Minority." The good news is that the two hornmen, affectionately called "the wailing banshees" by Goodwin, are considering another joint album in the future. "We're still learning," Woods says, and Shank adds, "We have fun." New arrangements by two legends who still enjoy the music they play are something any jazz fan can look forward to, but not immediately. First Shank plans to tour the world in 2006 to celebrate his 80th birthday. Then he'll have some extra time.