take5 Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 I just received this set (won on ebay). The only Shaw I was familiar with before this is Blackstone Legacy. I must say, this is the most pleasantly surprising of the Mosaics I've gotten- my 2nd favorite musically after the Green/Clark set. And this after only having listened to it once. It's intense but not "too much." I haven't looked through the liners yet so I have no idea who else is on it, but they're just great. Very modern sounding and inventive but with solid groove. I am absolutely loving it. Quote
Eric Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 Congrats, Take 5!!! This is one of my favorite Mosaics. The liner notes by Cuscuna are also quite informative and at times, touching. Enjoy!!! Now we just need the live Columbia stuff, as hinted it in the booklet. Although, as speculated elsewhere, the relatively slow sales of the studio sides may have tempered Mosaic's enthusiam for such a set ... Quote
Free For All Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 (edited) A great set for sure. I only wish that they would reissue the live date Stepping Stones on CD. Edited August 27, 2004 by Free For All Quote
sidewinder Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 This was one of my first Mosaics and still one of the favourites. Sounds particularly nice too in the vinyl format but the CDs are also well up to standard. The set gets quite a 'panning' at times, possibly because of the 70s sound on some of the sessions. I can't say I agree though - the music for the most part sounds wonderful. I even like the vocal numbers recorded with Judy Singh ! Fortunately, you can still pick up copies of 'Stepping Stones' on vinyl for not too many $. Too bad this session was left out of the set. Quote
Free For All Posted August 28, 2004 Report Posted August 28, 2004 Fortunately, you can still pick up copies of 'Stepping Stones' on vinyl for not too many $. Too bad this session was left out of the set. Yeah, I've got a vinyl copy, but I'd bet that if they put it out on CD they might manage to dig up some extra unreleased material from the gig. Wouldn't that be nice? Woody in top form. Quote
dsgtrane Posted August 28, 2004 Report Posted August 28, 2004 Fortunately, you can still pick up copies of 'Stepping Stones' on vinyl for not too many $. Too bad this session was left out of the set. Yeah, I've got a vinyl copy, but I'd bet that if they put it out on CD they might manage to dig up some extra unreleased material from the gig. Wouldn't that be nice? Woody in top form. One of the "extras" not included on "Stepping Stones" appeared on one of his Columbia studio albums ("United" I think). Unfortunately it did not appear on the studio only Mosaic. The track is titled "Escape Velocity" and sounds quite a bit like "Impressions". Off the top of my head, I think it was written by "Larry Willis, Woody's pianist at the time. Any CD issue should at least include this. Quote
bertrand Posted August 28, 2004 Report Posted August 28, 2004 'Escape Velocity' is by Clint Houston, and appeared on Woody III. I made myself a little CD of Steppin' Stones + Escape Velocity. Bertrand. Quote
dsgtrane Posted August 28, 2004 Report Posted August 28, 2004 'Escape Velocity' is by Clint Houston, and appeared on Woody III. I made myself a little CD of Steppin' Stones + Escape Velocity. Bertrand. Oops! That's what I get for posting before I check the details. Enjoyable track nonetheless. Quote
take5 Posted August 28, 2004 Author Report Posted August 28, 2004 The only thing I think I'm not too fond of with this set is that, since the whole thing is really just four studio albums, I would have preferred 4 CDs instead of squeezing it on to 3. But obviously a minor quibble. Yeah, some of it has that hoky Return to Forever feel, but they do it nice and it never gets into corny-land. Quote
DrJ Posted August 30, 2004 Report Posted August 30, 2004 I think it's a fantastic set. Woody was a giant. I would love to see a Mosaic Select of live Woody - include Stepping Stones, the track from Woody III, and some unreleased stuff (I'm sure Cuscuna must have a line on some, he seems to have been a personal friend of Woody's and a huge fan). Quote
sidewinder Posted August 30, 2004 Report Posted August 30, 2004 (edited) Yes DrJ, the affinity between Cuscuna and Woody comes across loud and clear in the booklet, which is as good a writeup on Woody's career as any I've read. I fully agree with you that a 'Woody Shaw Live CBS' Mosaic Select would be a great addition to the discography and I would buy a copy of that in a flash.. Still have very fond memories of seeing the band with Turre at Ronnie Scotts on two consecutive nights in the early 80s. Night 1 was so fantastic that I had to get back there and see the whole thing again. Of note on night 1 was sitting next to a very young Herlin Riley, on the night off from his first London gig, and chatting to him about Woody (he was a very big fan). Ahh - those were the days.. Edited August 30, 2004 by sidewinder Quote
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