Search - Bud Shank, Bill Mays :: Beyond the Red Door

Beauty and Truth, and It Swings, Too!

John Tapscott | Canada | 10/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Beyond the Red Door" pairs the passionate alto saxophone of Bud Shank with the sensitive yet swinging piano of Bill Mays in a scintillating 2006 duo set. Shank and Mays are so deeply imbued with swinging jazz spirit that the absence of bass and drums is never felt; in fact, the lack of a traditional rhythm section probably enhances the sense of connection between these two master musicians. The exchanges between Shank and Mays are often breath-taking.



The programs offers 72 minutes of jazz at the highest level of creativity and inspiration. Opening with the swinging "Red Door" by Zoot Sims, the program proceeds through a memorable series of jazz standards, but also includes two originals by Bud and Linda Shank ("Why Not Now?" and the playful "Carousels"), plus one by Bill Mays' ("Quietly"). The originals are of no less interest than the standards, though arguably the outstanding tracks are "The Wind/The Peacocks" by Russ Freeman and Jimmy Rowles, and the uptempo take on Ray Noble's "The Touch of Your Lips." Just about every musical mood one can think of is explored at length in the program, and while there are no outright blues here (at least in musical structure), Shank's alto often has a bluesy feel, especially in some of his deeper and more reflective moments.



The recorded sound on "Beyond the Red Door" is excellent; the liner notes by Bud and Linda Shank are informative and often humorous. While beauty and truth are subjective values, it's hard to imagine that any jazz listener will not find these values in abundance on this recording. And the whole thing swings, too! Top marks go to producer Graham Carter for another outstanding addition to the Jazzed Media catalogue. This highly recommended CD has been one of my most played acqusitions in 2007. In a perfect world, the jazz critics would rank "Beyond the Red Door" at or near the top of their "best of" lists for 2007."

Real Jazz

J. Gagne | Burbank, CA | 10/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While we're in a time when jazz music is co-opted by the music business and it's ill-informed public, it's good to

hear the real deal by two real dealers. You won't hear "smooth" jazz on this recording. Mays and Shank deliver music on a personal level with intimacy and swing. They leave the hackneyed, sugary pablum to the imposters."

Powerful Stuff

Howard Wexler | White Plains, NY United States | 05/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No background filler. To someone raised on Paul Desmond, Shank's energetic attack takes a little adjustment. But he is exquisite. And Bill Mays can do no wrong.



My favorite cut by far is Carousels."