Phil Woods with Strings - The Thrill Is Gone

Woods' regular quartet + string quartet on 180-gram vinyl!

"Phil Woods with Strings?" you may ask with a bit of apprehension. An album with strings, which is inevitably heavily arranged, is always a risky proposition for a jazz musician whose art depends above all on spontaneous improvisation. But Phil Woods, arguably the best alto sax player alive today, has done it many times in his 55-year career.

What distinguishes this album is the core group: Wood's regular quartet featuring the young and brilliant pianist Bill Charlap. Also, they decided to go with a string quintet (two violins, two violas and one cello) instead of a larger string section. This probably worked to make the ensemble agile and more spontaneous. The first violinist even takes a few solos!

All in all, this is a charming album filled with many tender moments and nice sound. Woods' playing is inspired and varied arrangements keep the program interesting. Bill Charlap helps his boss with a few beautiful solos as well.

Features:
180-gram vinyl
Mixed and mastered by Tetsuo Hara
Venus Hyper Magnum Sound Direct Mix Stereo
Obi strip
Japanese pressing

Musicians:
Phil Woods, alto sax
Bill Charlap, piano
Steve Gilmore, bass
Bill Goodwin, drums
Eric Doney, conductor
Andy Stein, violin
Tony Posk, violin
Olivia Koppell, viola
Alfred Brown, viola
Jesse Levy, cello

Side A:

1. The Thrill Is Gone

2. You Go To My Head

3. Easy To Love

4. If I Should Lose You

Side B:

1. It Never Entered My Mind

2. I Get Along Without You Very Well

3. The Nearness Of You

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