Search - Woody Shaw :: Woody Shaw Live 4

Woody Shaw: Bearing The Standard, Sounding The Call.

Michael F. Hopkins | Buffalo, NY USA | 11/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This fourth volume of the invaluable Woody Shaw

live sets unveiled by the High Note label is an

especially precious gem, for it showcases the

trumpet master's mellow side with a charged

insistency. While we would see more of Shaw's

fine handling of standards towards the end of

his life in 1989, there's no second-guessing

the joie-de-vivre of his presentation here.



Recorded in concert at San Francisco's acclaimed

Keystone Korner in the Fall of 1981, the set is

an impeccably relaxing, yet highly-spirited array

of standards and original material. With the

group of trombonist Steve Turre, pianist Larry

Willis, bassist Stafford James, and drummer

Victor Lewis, Shaw formed a unit of gifted

artists who could glide the music on a lyrical

jet stream, or power each jam into higher gear

at a moment's notice.

While this unit did not brandish the sheer muscle

so resplendent on Columbia's epic STEPPING STONES,

it becomes clear that the subtler sway of the

brass frontline carried an irresistible might

all its own. As the fine work of this series'

Volumes 3 and 4 -in particular- reveal, this

sound is one to be reckoned with.



Listen to Judi Singh's sashaying sure-stepper,

"The Time Is Right"; heard here in its elemental

glory without the well-meaning but overripe

arrangements of the studio rendition. Everyone

has fun here, being both expressive and succinct.

Try the liquid fire of Shaw's searing "Opec"

for proof of how hard the brass king could

swing with purpose.

Speaking of fun, let your ears taste the sweet

nectar of Shaw's inspired mutework on Benny

Carter's classic "Where Lights Are Low", along

with the fresh zeal with which he embraces "It

Could Happen To You" and the ever-saucy "Bye

Bye Blackbird".

This album is the first to feature Shaw's sound

on muted trumpet, and it's a welcome treat. While

the compositional turf and the mute itself is a

clear nod to Miles Davis, the sound and thrust

is pure Woody Shaw... right to those eye and

ear-popping intervals that no one else can

navigate through quite as well.



No imitations here. The sound is a standard-bearing

call all its own, full of homage while clearing

its own way for all to enjoy.



Dare we add that this album is naturally smooth

Jazz?!! Artificial sweeteners not permitted where

void by taste.



Great Music. Treasure it well."

A mixed, milesian bag

Patrick Burnette | Crawfordsville, IN USA | 09/15/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Three of the tunes on the album are standards closely associated with Miles Davis. To further the connection, Shaw uses a Harmon mute during these numbers, and the arrangements are even reminiscent of the Davis versions. These numbers are well-performed, and Shaw is by no means carbon-copying Miles' licks, but there is an uncomfortable feeling of homage slipping into imitation. The other two numbers are in Shaw's more familiar modal mode and have more energy. The music is well-done, but not a good introduction to what Shaw was about as a musician. Try the excellent "Stepping Stones" or "Live, Volume 3" (which I like even better) first if you're looking for live Shaw."