Search - Woody Shaw :: Woody Shaw Live 3

Straight On, Swinging Loose, Tight and Sweet, Full Of Brass

Michael F. Hopkins | Buffalo, NY USA | 07/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While Woody Shaw remains among the most underrated of

Jazz giants, the Live CDs released by High Note Records have

done a great service in showcasing the tempestuous daring and

lyrical genius of the Jersey-raised trumpet master. From

the early 1960s alongside Eric Dolphy and Larry Young,

through his own crusading recordings through the 1970s to

his death in the late 1980s, Shaw placed his singular brand

of compositional finesse and group dynamics upon the world

of Music. In a field frequently overshadowed by the cocktail

antics of Fusion (read "Smooth Jazz" these days), and the

vested mummery of New Orleans archivists

posing as Swing classicists, Shaw's is a robust,

head-tipping, smoothly stalking Jazz which

romps the place and sounds like nothing

but its own self.



The 3rd of these live recordings is one for the surround system

to perk up your mood on any kind of day. With trombonist Steve

Turre hooking with Shaw on most tracks, we have an impeccable

brass and rhythm sound full of rowdy snap and eloquent style.

Having Shaw's longtime partner, the astonishing drummer Victor

Lewis, honing the thunder to a fine rhapsodic crispness, makes

the session all the more special (Try Lewis' "Seventh Avenue"

for a taste of what a remarkable composer he still is).



A little something special? Hear heart-rending showcases

of Shaw balladry, "Organ Grinder" and "Little Red's Fantasy",

presented by the composer singing his instrumental heart out

with rhythm alone; the beguiling tone and nimble invocation

of a trumpeter at home with the deeps and the narrows of feeling,

perception, and presentation.



Want Jazz at its finest? Try some of this."

Capturing A Great Artist In Person

Jazz Analyst | Los Angeles, CA USA | 04/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording captures a great player, Woody Shaw in top form leading a wonderful group in live performances. The recorded sound is quite good as well. Woody and the group stretch out on some cooking tunes like Ginseng People, Organ Grinder and Seventh Avenue. Little Red's Fantasy is more a of ballad but this one of Woody's classic compositions. I was fortunate enough (old enough?) to have seen this group perform in person back in the early 80's. The music was fantastic. This album (and the other Live releases from High Note) capture the feeling of the group well. Woody Shaw was fabulous trumpet player. He was a great soloist and leader. He is greatly missed. This album reminds of what a wonderful artist he was."