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Greg Abate & Phil Woods: Kindred Spirits: Live at Chan's
ByIt's not a first teaming for Abate and Woods. A student/mentor relationship exists there, and Greg Abate Quintet Featuring Phil Woods (Positone Records, 2012) is a testament to passion and energy the two saxophonists could conjure. So is Kindred Spirits: Live at Chan's. It's a two CD set, and the amount of the music presented is generous, the quality of the performance first rate all around.
"Steeplechase," from the pen of Charlie Parker, opens the set. Another version of the tune closes the first disc, and CD 2 has the Bird's "Yardbird Suite." The pioneer's spirit looms with a smile over the proceedings.
Abate and Woods truly prove themselves kindred souls. It takes a good ear to pick out who's doing the individual solos, though the personnel section in the accompanying booklet let's us know that Abate took the first turn on all but three numbers. Both altoists are steeped deep in the bebop tradition, and both play with passion. The Tim Ray Trio is impeccable, the pianist's solo slots full of fun and verve.
This is a polished master class in straight ahead bebop, with it's lovingly rendered Parker tunes, and Standards like Harold Arlen's "A Sleepin' Bee," the classic "Angel Eyes," Horace Silver's "Strollin,'" a melancholy "I'll Remember April," and a spicy take of Kurt Weill's "Speak Low," with the sax guys sitting out and letting the trio shine.
Phil Woods was a consistently joyful and inspired performer for more sixty years. Kindred Spirits: Live at Chan's is another gem in his discography.
Track Listing
CD 1: Steeplechase (Thriving on a Riff); A Sleepin' Bee, The End of a Love Affair; Angel Eyes; Cedar's Blues; Willow Weep For Me; Steeplechase (short version); Fried Clams With Bellies (spoken); Phil and Sequel (spoken); Emotionally Involved (spoken); Different Keys (spoken). CD 2: I'll remember April: Moonlight in Vermont; Speak Low; Strollin' Yardbird Suite; Moonlight in Vermont (short version); The First One's Free (spoken)
Personnel
Greg Abate
saxophoneGreg Abate: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Phil Woods: alto saxophone; tim Ray: piano; John Lockwood: bass; Mark Walker: drums.
Album information
Title: Kindred Spirits: Live at Chan's | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Whaling City Sound