🎷 AotW: Jazz Woody Shaw - WOODY III

[Captain Bacardi]

Woody Shaw
WOODY III
Columbia Records 35977

Released 1979

Peaked at #23 on the Jazz Albums Chart (1979)

Produced by Michael Cuscuna
Executive Producer: Maxine Gregg
Arranged by Woody Shaw

Songs:

1. Woody I: On The Newark - 7:17
2. Woody II: Other Paths - 6:50
3. Woody III: New Offerings - 8:28
4. To Kill A Brick - 7:40
5. Organ Grinder - 5:30
6. Escape Velocity (Clint Houston) - 11:07

All songs composed by Woody Shaw except where indicated
​

Musicians:
Woody Shaw - Cornet, Flugelhorn
Carter Jefferson - Tenor Sax
James Spaulding - Alto Sax, Flute
Rene McLean - Soprano Sax, Flute
Curtis Fuller - Trombone (1, 2, 3)
Steve Turre - Trombone (2), Bass Trombone (1, 3)
Charles Sullivan - Trumpet (1, 2)
Onaje Allan Gumbs - Piano
Buster Williams - Bass
Victor Lewis - Drums
Azzedin Weston - Congas (1), Percussion (3)
Nobu Urushiyama - Percussion (1, 3)
George Cables - Piano (5)
Clint Houston - Bass (6)

Recorded at CI Recording Studios, New York
Recording Engineer: Elvin Campbell
#5 Recorded at CBS Recording Studios, New York
Recording Engineer: Don Puluse
#6 Recorded live at the Village Vanguard, New York City on August 5, 1978
Recording Engineer: Tom Arrison, Fedco Recorders

Album Design: Gene Greil
Photography: Giuseppe Pino
Liner Notes: Amiri Baraka (Leroi Jones)

Available at Amazon.com (with song samples): http://www.amazon.com/Woody-III-Sha...97240390&sr=1-1&keywords=woody+shaw+woody+iii



Capt. Bacardi

 

[Captain Bacardi]

This album was a breath of fresh air when it came out. I remember being so disappointed with some of my favorite jazz stars (Freddie Hubbard and Maynard Ferguson, for example) who went the commercial, disco-y route at the time. Woody Shaw was this fiery youngster who made jazz exciting. His compositions were solid, his horn playing was dynamic and he surrounded himself with incredible musicians that made these songs come to life. If I remember right this was the first time I had heard of trombonist Steve Turre, who has since become my favorite contemporary 'bone player. There's some hard swinging going on most of the tracks, my favorite being "To Kill A Brick". The three part "Woody III" is nothing less than stunning. It's too bad Shaw's life ended as soon as it did, but he left a lot of memorable music to enjoy.


Capt. Bacardi