Archie Shepp

• 4 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Avant-garde tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp created a stir in 1977 when he recorded a set of hymns and folk melodies in melodic duets with pianist Horace Parlan. On February 6, 1980, he reunited with Parlan for a set of blues associated with Bessie Smith, and the following day, as a sort of sequel, Shepp played eight songs associated with Charlie Parker in collaboration with bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen.

Although never a bebopper, Shepp does surprisingly well on such tunes as "Moose the Mooche," "Ornithology," "Yardbird Suite" and "Confirmation," even if he makes the mistake of doubling on his erratic soprano during a few numbers. Archie Shepp pays tribute to Bird not by copying him, but by being creative and playing Parker's repertoire in his own sound. Recommended.

PERSONNEL:

• Archie Shepp (tenor & soprano sax)
• Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen (bass)

Copenhagen, February 7, 1980.

TRACKS:

• SIDE A:
• 01. Moose the Mooche<
• 02. Embraceable You
• 03. Ornithology
• 04. Billie's Bounce

• SIDE B:
• 01. Yardbird Suite
• 02. Blues For Alice
• 03. How Deep Is The Ocean
• 04. Confirmation