Search - Steve Lacy Five, Steve Lacy Quintet :: The Way

Excellent live performance

John C. Graham | toronto, ontario Canada | 11/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
It's live but has studio quality sound and represents the excellence of Lacy's working band of the late seventies. J. J. Avenell would soon fill the bass chair and the wonderful Oliver Johnson would be replaced by John Betsch. The tunes are Lacy's and probably the arrangements as well. The concert showcases the rapport of the two saxophones, one hot and the other cool and cerebral. There can be no mistaking Potts for Lacy when both are playing soprano. There are some absolutely stunning violin solos by Lacy's wife who has never sounded better on record. Kent Carter had been with Lacy for a while and is a fantastic bassist. His tone is gorgeous on this recording. Oliver Johnson was a true master of the drum kit and is just amazing here. This is a well rehearsed band and the concert has a nice pace to it. Everyone is in exceptional form and Irene Aibei does her vocal thing too. You get three additional tunes that weren't on the original album.

Summary: Beautifully recorded Lacy quintet concert w/ Potts, Carter, Johnson, and Aebei, in their prime. ***** stars"