In 1957 and 1958 altoist Bud Shank and tenor saxophonist Bob Cooper went on joint tours of Europe. This two-CD set mostly consists of four radio broadcasts of Shank (doubling on flute) and Cooper (also on oboe) co-leading a quintet also featuring pianist Claude Williamson, bassist Don Prell and drummer Jimmy Pratt. Although the recording quality varies from broadcast to broadcast, the results are consistently listenable and both of the saxophonists are heard in their early prime. The interplay between the two throughout the cool-toned bop music is a constant joy. Also on this two-fer is a partial selection with the Lighthouse All-Stars, four numbers from a Shank live date with pianist Russ Freeman and three selections by Shank's quartet in 1956 from a telecast of the Stars of Jazz. Nearly all of the music was previously unreleased. This set is easily recommended to lovers of '50s West Coast jazz. ~ Scott Yanow|
Rovi