One of the benefits of
Phil Woods' association with Paolo Piangiarelli's Philology label is that it has given him an opportunity to collaborate with a number of European-based musicians with whom he might not have otherwise had the opportunity to make a record. The first meeting between the alto saxophonist and guitarist
Irio De Paula in 2000 for the label, titled
Encontro, was an inspired date and this 2005 follow-up session is as well. Drawing mostly from a mix of standards and well-known jazz compositions,
Woods and
De Paula obviously regained their earlier chemistry shortly after reuniting in the studio. Although many of the tracks run eight to nine minutes and it is just the two of them with no additional accompanists,
Woods and
De Paula never run out of ideas or overstay their welcome. Some highlights include the playful "Honeysuckle Rose," the intricate "Nuages" (with a lush solo introduction by
De Paula), the delightful bossa nova setting of "Night and Day," and the passionate, extended workout of "Tenderly."
Woods and
De Paula improvised the spirited"Blues for New Orleans," named in honor of the devastated Crescent City, which had been nearly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina just a few weeks before the recording session. ~ Ken Dryden