Customer Reviews

Early Quintets

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Phil Woods' "Early Quintets" features selections from two different sessions, neither of which were originally even led by the alto saxophonist. The first four tracks are actually from a Jimmy Raney-led session from August 11, 1954 with trumpeter John Wilson, bassist Bill Crow and drummer Joe Morello (pre-Dave Brubeck fame) joining Raney (guitar) and Woods. Tracks 5-8 are from a March 3, 1959 Dick Hyman-led session featuring Howard McGhee on trumpet, Teddy Kotick on bass and Roy Haynes on drums joining Hyman (piano) and Woods. This disc is enjoyable, but is clearly for serious fans only, who by the way should not be late in buying "Early" as it is going out-of-print.

Shows Phil and a bunch of NYC "Gunners" just on the get go. Bebop delux! What a time it must have been when a lot of legendary music was just getting going all centered around New York City 1956 - 1959 The CD probably contains music first issued as two 10'LPs Good stuff,great Phil some of it probably during his Brooklyn days pre Dizzy pre Quincy

As the title suggests,this CD was recorded almost at the begining of Phil Wood's career (1954&1959). The leader of the first four tracks is Jimmy Raney (g) and the group is completed by John Willson (t)Bill Crow (b)Joe Marello (d)and of course P.W. on alto. Tunes are 1 Stella by Starlight.2 Five 3 Joanne. 4. Back and Blow. John Willson was the supprise to me, what a good trumpet he is,not unlike Chet Baker.The star has to be Phill Woods, his alto in Charlie Parker style produces long flowwing lines,and tne unison passages are nagotiated with ease.
The last four tracks are by a different group consisting of Howard Mcgee(t)Dick Hyman(p)Teddy Kotick (b)Roy Haynes(d). The tunes are 1. Costernation 2. Lemon Drop 3.The Little Bandmaster 4. Pee Wee's Dream. Howard shows he hasn't forgotten those Be Bop licks from the forties, and the band gells nicely. Pitty about the short (37m) running time.Altogether a good buy for modern jazz fans, recommended.