egroj world: Phil Woods • Greek Cooking

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Phil Woods • Greek Cooking

Review
by Ken Dryden
Probably one of the more unusual recordings in Phil Woods' considerable discography, Greek Cooking features the alto saxophonist leading a tentet with a distinctly Greek flavor, including four Greek musicians. None of them have become household names in jazz, though oud player George Mgrdichian later sat in with the Dave Brubeck Quartet during a few concerts. While the addition of instruments like the dumbeg and buzukie add a new twist, the annoying fender bass and the material chosen make the LP sound rather dated. "A Taste of Honey" is given a modal-like arrangement and it's hard not to break into a broad grin when hearing the lively "Zorba the Greek."
A musical curiosity that's been out-of-print for a long time, it should appeal to Woods' fans because of his ability to make the best of the material with his powerful, never dull playing.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/greek-cooking-mw0000871469

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Reseña
por Ken Dryden
Probablemente una de las grabaciones más inusuales de la considerable discografía de Phil Woods, Greek Cooking presenta al saxofonista alto al frente de un tentet con un marcado sabor griego, que incluye a cuatro músicos griegos. Ninguno de ellos es un nombre conocido en el mundo del jazz, aunque el laudista George Mgrdichian participó más tarde en algunos conciertos del Dave Brubeck Quartet. Aunque la adición de instrumentos como el dumbeg y el buzukie añaden un nuevo giro, el molesto bajo fender y el material elegido hacen que el LP suene bastante anticuado. "A Taste of Honey" recibe un arreglo de tipo modal y es difícil no romper en una amplia sonrisa al escuchar la animada "Zorba the Greek".
Una curiosidad musical que ha estado descatalogada durante mucho tiempo, y que debería gustar a los fans de Woods por su habilidad para sacar lo mejor del material con su poderosa y nunca aburrida forma de tocar.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/greek-cooking-mw0000871469

Tracks:
1 - Zorba The Greek
Composed By – Mikis Theodorakis

2 - A Taste Of Honey
Composed By – Bobby Scott, Ric Marlow

3 - Theme From Anthony & Cleopatra
Composed By – Alex North

4 - Got A Feelin'
Composed By – Dennis Doherty*, John Phillips

5 - Theme From Simon & Dililah
Composed By – Victor Young

6 - Greek Cooking
Composed By – Norman Gold

7 - Nica
Composed By – Norman Gold

Credits:
    Accordion [Accordian] – William Costa
    Bass [Fender] – Chet Amsterdam
    Clarinet – Souren Baronian
    Conductor, Arranged By – Norman Gold
    Drums – Bill Lavorgna
    Drums [Dumbeg] – John Yalenezian
    Guitar – Stuart Scharf
    Lute [Buzukie] – Iordanis Tsomidis*
    Marimba – William Costa
    Oud – George Mgrdichian
    Percussion – Seymour Salzberg
    Percussion [Cymbals] – Souren Baronian
    Producer – Bob Thiele
    Saxophone – Phil Woods

Label:    Impulse! – AS-9143
Country:    US
Released:    1967
Genre:    Jazz, Folk, World, & Country
https://www.discogs.com/release/2125630-Phil-Woods-Greek-Cooking