Search - Phil Woods :: Thrill Is Gone

Phil...gives a "Thrill..".

anonymous | 01/14/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First their was "Bird with Strings" followed a few years later by "Cannonball with Strings" and, we now have alto saxophone master Phil Woods with his equisite "The Thrill Is Gone". Mr. Woods, an admitted devotee of Charlie Parker and the be-bop tradition is arguably the finest alto saxophonist in jazz today. His rich discography demonstrates that despite the early influnce of Parker he has long been his own man. Posessing flawless technique and immediately identifiable sound he demonstates throughout this session the ability to swing effortlessly at any tempo. The arrangements provide a near perfect compliment to the soloist and never intrude while Mr. Woods expertly works within the creative framework they offer him. Renditions of tunes like "It Never Entered My Mind, "The Nearness Of You", "If I Should Lose You" and, his own lovely ballad composition "And When We're Young" are but a few of the nine gems that make up this recording. This is an intelligent musical offering that should not be restricted solely to jazz lovers alone or, for that matter, fans of Mr. Woods of which I have been one for over fifty years. I won't say that this is a "perfect" record but, damm...it's as close as you can get to one in my opinion. Don't miss this."