Phil Woods Quintet - Ballads & Blues / 2LP Venus Records

Phil Woods, one of the finest living alto saxophonists, returned to Venus Records after six years – this time with his star-studded quintet consisting of Brian Lynch (trumpet), Bill Charlap (piano), Steve Gilmore (bass), and Bill Goodwin (drums).

Ballads & Blues—recorded at Avatar Studio in New York on June 20 and 21, 2008 – is Woods' first songbook as a composer, dedicated to Billy Strayhorn, the legendary arranger and composer for Duke Ellington's orchestra. Woods predominantly

chooses slow and medium tempos and shines with his big, warm, and expressive tone, his soulful blues feeling, and his plaintive melancholy. “Ballads & Blues” is definitely one of the highlights of Woods' discography, as “All About Jazz” aptly describes:

"Alto saxophonist Phil Woods is an accomplished musician whose improvisational skills are unsurpassed. He follows in the footsteps of the Holy Trinity of alto saxophone – Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges, Charlie Parker – and has developed an unmistakable,

influential style. If Paul Desmond's sound is like a dry martini, then Woods' sound is like a fine cognac, sensual and luxurious, with a masculine spice that warms the body. His apprenticeship with Charlie Barnet, Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Quincy Jones,

Oliver Nelson, Buddy Rich, Thelonious Monk, and Clark Terry prepared him for his leadership role, particularly in his quartets and quintets, which for over 30 years have included bassist Steve Gilmore and drummer Bill Goodwin... “Ballads & Blues” celebrates

compositions by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, as well as a composition by Hoagy Carmichael.”

Venus LPs are pressed only once. After the first edition is sold out, the titles are removed from the catalog. Collectors should therefore consider a purchase in time.

We recommend the use of "L'Art du Son" LP cleaner to wet wash your vinyl. Even new records of high quality production will benefit from this.

Title

LP 1

Side A
1.    Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
2.    Ballad For Very Tired And Very Sad Lotus Eaters
3.    Rain Check

Side B:
1.    Isfahan
2.    Jonny Come Lately
3.    Take The A Train

LP 2

Side C
1.    Balcony Serenade
2.    Blood Count
3.    My Little Brown Book
4.    Lush Life

Side D
1.    Ballad Medley: I Didn't Know About You / Lotus Blossom / Don't You Know I Care
2.    How Little We Know