Phil Woods - Bird With Strings... And More! (Storyville)

[EKE BBB]

First release from my good friend Jordi Suñol's archives. Many more to come!

Phil Woods - Bird With Strings... And More! (Storyville, 2CD)

Personnel: 
Phil Woods – saxophone

Ben Aronov – piano

Reggie Johnson – bass

Douglas Sides – drums

Zürich Chamber Orchestra

https://storyvillerecords.com/product/bird-with-strings-and-more/

The recording of Bird with Strings…and More! took place in Tonhalle, Zürich on June 13, 2005 with the help of pianist Ben Aronov, bassist Reggie Johnson, drummer Douglas Sides and the fantastic Zürich Chamber Orchestra. The beautiful and characteristic sound of jazz and pop supported by a string orchestra is a very special and rare experience.

Bird with Strings…and More! use the classic album Charlie Parker with Strings as a point of departure. Charlie Parker, also known as Bird, recorded the original Charlie Parker with Strings in 1949 with a rhythm section plus a very small string section.

On this recording, PW has written all new arrangements based on the original scores, and expanded the original arrangements to a much larger string section of 24/30 pieces and added a small woodwind section of oboe, flute and clarinet. PW has also proceeded to write a dozen extra arrangements with the same instrumentation. He pays perfect tribute to Bird and his original project, as he is the continuator of Bird’s music, spirit and life, but has his very own sound signature, sometimes warm and sometimes volcanic.

PW was not only an extraordinary alto saxophonist, but also an incredible composer and arranger. Woods was known for a lyrical and beautiful sound making him one of the most popular musicians in mainstream jazz. Born in 1952, he was influenced by Charlie Parker and Lennie Tristano, but worked in both jazz and pop influencing artists like Kenny G and a whole generation
of alto played in jazz. Today he is considered a modern jazz giant and one of the most important alto saxophonists in the history of jazz.

This is emotional music for lovers, so savor the moment and relax in the company of one of the true masters!

[Dan Gould]

A Jordi archive series is a great idea - he told me that during the pandemic shut down he started digitizing his cassettes collected from 40 or so years of promoting jazz concerts.  Can't wait to see what other gems will come out.

[Ken Dryden]

I got this CD set a week or so ago and have only begun to play it. Glad it is coming out on a legit label where the musicians' estates will get paid.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Why didn't this get released years ago? It was recorded almost 18 years ago (June, 2005) when Phil was still with us. It might have been nice if he could've made a few extra bucks back then.

[Dan Gould]

2 hours ago, bresna said:

Why didn't this get released years ago? It was recorded almost 18 years ago (June, 2005) when Phil was still with us. It might have been nice if he could've made a few extra bucks back then.

As I mentioned above - he started digitizing cassettes during the pandemic. Its entirely possible that his soundboard recording only got pulled out in the last few years.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

1 hour ago, Dan Gould said:

As I mentioned above - he started digitizing cassettes during the pandemic. Its entirely possible that his soundboard recording only got pulled out in the last few years.

Oh - so this is a live date? From what I read in Dusty Groove's blurb about "the mix", I thought it was recorded in a large hall purposefully for release.

BTW - Phil's website has a video of this from the same year (2005) recorded at the Marciac Jazz Festival in pretty good sound: https://www.philwoods.com/discography/item/400-phil-woods-bird-with-strings