The Phil Woods Quintet - American Songbook II (2007)

The Phil Woods Quintet has long been famous for being the perfect outlet for the veteran altoist. In addition to bebop standards, the group usually includes inventive originals and lots of interplay between the five notable musicians, which in recent times has included trumpeter Brian Lynch and pianist Bill Charlap in addition to original members bassist Steve Gilmore and drummer Bill Goodwin. The American's Songbook II, like its predecessor, is a bit different in that all ten songs are standards from American popular music and usually shows rather than originating in the jazz world. Only "Careless" is a little obscure. The arrangements, often by Lynch, modernize the songs a bit while retaining their melodies and feel. There is some particularly beautiful playing along the way from Woods and, although this is not the most heated or intense recording by his group, it is quite pleasing, respectful and full of subtle adventures.