Creative Music Studio - Woodstock Jazz Festival, Vol 2

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Creative Music Studio - Woodstock Jazz Festival, Vol 2

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Vol. II of the 1981 Woodstock Jazz Festival recordings continues with an augmented combo on three long selections. An upbeat "Impressions" has alto saxophonist Braxton joining Corea/Vitous/DeJohnette. He plays impassioned, lemon-tart, sometimes frenetic, challenging lines, and the trio is even more energized by Braxton's musings as the 12½ minutes go by, especially on Corea's bold, out-of-body solo. "No Greater Love" a mere 13 minutes, sports the quartet plus Konitz; he and Braxton provide shining moments as individualists and foils for each other. Konitz's burnished bronze tone questions Braxton's brittle, mercurial approach. A true delight. A 23-minute "All Blues" empties the well, with help from Pat Metheny on an ultimate workout with Corea and DeJohnette; Konitz's saxophone inquiries and Braxton's abject wail ignite fierce tension and release from the rhythm section. Corea is even more forceful and Mad Hatter-ish during all of the saxophonist's solos. Landmark music, made on the spot, in the rain, for 1600 enthusiastic listeners who could sense they were a part of a historical event, and a one-of-a-kind meeting of jazz minds. All Music Guide