Bud Shank, Against The Tide (Jazzed Media). The main current of the DVD is superbly photographed and recorded video of a Shank quartet recording date. Interwoven with the studio session are documentary coverage of the alto saxophonist’s long career and segments of Shank speaking. Pulling no punches, he discusses music, musicians, critics and why he walked away from the flute. The documentary includes scrapbook photos plus film and kinescopes of Shank performing in several settings from the 1950s forward. Running nearly two hours, the DVD is a thorough appreciation of a major jazz figure. The bonus CD has Shank with pianist Mike Wofford, bassist Bob Magnusson and drummer Joe LaBarbera; in duet with pianist Bill Mays; and with Bill Holman’s band, the Lighthouse All-Stars and Duke Ellington.
DVD/CD: Bud Shank
April 25, 2008 by
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
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