Woody Shaw: Stormy Weather
Musicians:
Woody Shaw (trumpet), Steve Turre (trombone), Kirk Lightsey (piano), Ray Drummond (bass), Carl Allen (drums).
Composed by Harold Arlen & Ted Koehler
.Recorded: New York, June 24, 1987
Rating: 92/100 (learn more)
Such eminent balladeers as Lester Young, Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon always looked to a song's lyrics as key to its interpretation. But Woody Shaw (formerly Dexter's sideman) is content to ignore the words and savor the tune. It's hard to fault his approach. Shaw's straight-ahead, medium-tempo "Stormy Weather" pairs his angelic open trumpet with Steve Turre's down-&-dirty plunger-muted trombone, the two complementing each other as naturally as saint and sinner, yin and yang, Ben & Gerry. (Why, Ben Webster and Gerry Mulligan, of course. Who did you think we meant?) His life was beclouded by stormy weather, but—Lord willing—Woody Shaw now strolls in the sun.
Reviewer: Alan Kurtz
Tags: stormy weather
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