The Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw Sessions - Vol 2

The Complete Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw Sessions Review

 

by Thom Jurek

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This Blue Note anthology essentially follows the same blueprint that the old Blue Note two-fer LPs did: assembling two collaborative albums cut by trumpet masters Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw in a double-CD package. This is not a problem as these are two worthwhile offerings that showcase the contrasting sides of each man. The two albums contained in this set are 1985's Double Take and 1988's Eternal Triangle. For those looking for old-school bop cutting sessions, this comp will disappoint you. They do not engage, and indeed don't even trade off except on one cut -- "Lotus Blossom" -- in the entire proceeding and that is brief. The writing credits are almost equally divided, as Hubbard wrote four tunes combined on these sessions and Shaw three. Other cuts include rompers by Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Kenny Dorham, and Howard McGhee. When they were issued, these sides included then-young pianist Mulgrew Miller, drummer Carl Allen, and saxophonist Kenny Garrett. Cecil McBee is in the bass chair on the first disc, and Ray Drummond is on second. This is a thoroughly enjoyable portrait of two veterans clearly enjoying one another's company and not trying to prove a thing. Solid and necessary if you collect either man's work.

The Freddie Hubbard and Woody Shaw Sessions Vol 2

2-1 Down Under 00:00 2-2 The Eternal Triangle 07:37 2-3 The Moontrane 15:26 2-4 Calling Miss Khadija 21:57 2-5 Nostrand And Fulton 28:41 2-6 Tomorrow's Destiny 34:53 2-7 Sao Paulo 42:01 2-8 Reets And I 50:13 Trumpet [Left Channel] – Freddie Hubbard Trumpet [Right Channel] – Woody Shaw Piano – Mulgrew Miller Alto Saxophone – Kenny Garrett Bass – Ray Drummond Drums – Carl Allen Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, on June 11-12, 1987.