An Absorbing Look at Bud Shank's Life and Music
John Tapscott | Canada | 07/21/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"At age 82 alto saxophonist Bud Shank is one of the true treasures of jazz music. His recent CD's on Jazzed Media reveal a musician whose expressive depth and personal sound keep growing and expanding. Jazzed Media's latest Bud Shank production "Against the Tide" (comprising a two hour DVD and a 60 minute CD) shows that Bud Shank is as expressive and passionate as ever, musically and verbally. His mental agility and memory for details is quite astounding.
The DVD portion of the package is built around studio performances by Bud's current quartet (Mike Wofford, Bob Magnusson and Joe LaBarbera) and lengthy interview segments in which Bud speaks about his life and career. It is fascinating to watch the quartet making music together (the performances can be heard in full on the accompanying CD). Equally absorbing is Bud's recounting of his vast career from his boyhood in Ohio and student days in North Carolina, his switch from tenor to alto saxophone and flute, his move to the west coast and taking up a chair with Charlie Barnet's band in the late 40's, his subsequent two year stint as lead alto with both the Stan Kenton Innovations and dance Orchestras (and how he influenced the Kenton saxophone section sound), through the rest of the 50's when he jammed with Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars, enjoyed lengthy associations with Bob Cooper and Shorty Rogers, formed his own quartet, recorded extensively for Dick Bock and Pacific Jazz records, and explored Brazilian sounds with Laurindo Almeida. Bud's musical life in the 60's was chock-full of studio work including composing for films and further explorations of bossa nova rhythms with Clare Fischer. The successful LA 4 group of the 70's and early 80's was followed by Bud's decision to abandon flute for the alto saxophone and straight ahead jazz (plus annual jazz education workshops and festivals) which has continued unabated to the present day.
In addition to the quartet music on the DVD there is live footage of Bud in performance at various stages of his career (including a masterful 1985 solo performance with the Royal Philharmonic) plus some insightful commentary by Dr. Herb Wong. Bud reveals that he has little time for the division between "West Coast" and "East Coast" jazz styles and it is true that Bud has always followed his own muse and can hold his own with the best musicians from any coast. "Against the Tide" is a most interesting and comprehensive look at Bud's significant career. The production values of the DVD are faultless.
Besides the full quartet selections on the CD, we hear more excellent music from Bud's career, including "The Gift" - a 13 minute track by the Bill Holman big band from 2005 with Bud as featured soloist; two 1956 tracks with the Lighthouse All-Stars; a beautiful duo version with Bill Mays of "Warm Valley" from 2006; and perhaps most fascinating of all, a powerfully swinging 1965 performance by the Duke Ellington Orchestra featuring Bud on flute.
The DVD or CD alone would be worth the price, but to have both together in a very reasonably priced package is the bargain of the year. "Against the Tide" is not only recommended to Bud Shank fans but to all who have an interest in the history of jazz music. This is beyond question one of the most important jazz releases of 2008.
"
Shanks Delight
Mr. Michael Claridge | 11/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An interesting overview of Buds musical life.It is handy to have a CD as well as the DVD so that the tunes can be listened to in the car or whilst working or even in the tub ! He looks a bit older now (like us all who followed him in his early days ) but his playing still sounds fresh. Get this one if you like the alto sax, Mike Claridge"