****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
One disc,51 minutes approximately. Does not say if this has been digitally remastered,however,the sound is clean and warm sounding. Recorded in Copenhagen in April 1977. This is the first of two sets that Shepp and Parlan recorded together(the other being TROUBLE IN MIND recorded in 1980 also in Copenhagen) and for my money this is the best of the two. Having listened to this from way back in the days of vinyl,it's certainly nice to have it on cd-no annoying "pops and crackles" to get in the way of this sublime music.Anyone with a passing knowledge of Shepp will be surprised with this set. Known for his more adventurous playing,this is quiet,meditative tenor sax at it's best. His soprano sax sound,while lighter in tone,is just as good. Shepp's sound is somewhat in the "breathy" Ben Webster style,combined with his own occasional,subtle,"squelched-notes" sound. Parlan,who has lived in Europe for many years,is the perfect accompanist/foil for Shepp. Never getting in the way,letting Shepp speak through his horn,Parlan,too,has a very reserved,yet bluesy style of piano on this set. For those of you who like Parlan's style,investigate his duo and small group sets,for more of the same.The tracks on this set are all "traditional" except for one previously unissued track(track 10) which is a Duke Ellington composition. This is open,spacious,heartfelt music,which subtly takes ahold of the listener and doesn't let up until the final notes have drifted off somewhere in the listener's mind. This is music that must be not only listened to,but heard. Take the time and sit down for this set and let this moving music wash over you-you won't be disappointed.
