Woods,Phil Classic Albums Collection 1954-1961 CD

Phil Woods stood out among saxophonists of his era, most notably because of his unique approach and refusal to follow the most popular forms. Woods signed with Prestige in 1954, releasing his first album, Pot Pie, with trumpeter Jon Eardley the same year, backed by a band of George Syran on piano along with long-standing bass and drums duo Teddy Kotick and Nick Stabulas. Woods developed a fondness for dual saxophone-fronted band arrangements. This style was evident on a string of albums he recorded with fellow saxophonist Gene Quill, including Pairing Off (Prestige, 1956) - which also showcased again the playing of Byrd, Flanagan, Watkins and Jones alongside trumpeter Kenny Dorham - and Phil And Quill (RCA-Victor, 1957), featuring pianist Dave McKenna, Buddy Jones on bass and Shadow Wilson on drums. Woods then began to branch out musically, leaving Prestige in 1957 to record freelance, releasing Sugan (Status, 1957) with pianist Red Garland and trumpeter Ray Copeland alongside Kotick and Stabulas. In 1958 he made the more serene and contemplative Warm Woods (Epic, 1958), backed by Stabulas, bassist Sonny Dallas and drummer Bob Corwin. In 1961, Woods recorded the Rights Of Swing album for Candid Records, a five-part, big band composition. This four CD collection, comprising over five hours of music in all, compiles eight original Phil Woods albums made between 1954 and 1961, all of which have been superbly remastered. Paying tribute to this, perhaps on occasion underrated, jazz maestro, who courageously stepped out of the shadow of his forebears to create a sound and style that was truly his own, this box set will provide both a perfect introduction to the music of Phil Woods, and a welcome reminder of this fine musician's extraordinary work.

1. Pot Pie 2. Open Door 3. Mad About the Boy 4. Robin's Bobbin 5. Cobblestones 6. Toos Bloos 7. Sea Beach 8. Horseshoe Curve 9. Woodlore 10. Falling in Love All Over Again 11. Be My Love 12. On a Slow Boat to China 13. Get Happy 14. Strollin' with Pam 15. The Stanley Stomper 16. Cool Aid 17. Pairing Off 18. Suddenly It's Spring 19. Dewey Square 20. Dupeltook 21. Once More 22. House of Chan 23. In Walked George 24. Lover Man 25. Sax Fifth Avenue 26. Ready Rudy 27. Cabeza 28. Twin Funkies 29. Rib Roast 30. High Stepping Bizzes 31. Four Flights Up 32. Dig Your P's and Q's 33. Dry Chops in the Moonlight 34. Una Momento 35. Pottsville, USA 36. Frank the Barber 37. Au Privave 38. Steeplechase 39. Last Fling 40. Sugan 41. Green Pines 42. Scrapple from the Apple 43. Your Own Sweet Way 44. Easy Living 45. I Love You 46. Squire's Parlor 47. Wait Till You See Her 48. Waltz for a Lovely Wife 49. Like Someone in Love 50. Gunga Din 51. Prelude and Part I 52. Part II (Ballad) 53. Part III (Waltz) 54. Part IV (Scherzo) 55. Part V (Presto)