Archie Shepp

180g audiophile vinyl reissue

4 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

This duet date from 1990 demonstrates the deep blues feeling and technical mastery Archie Shepp has on the tenor saxophone. Comprised of four standards — “Things Ain’t What They Used to Be,” “Body and Soul,” “Pannonica,” and “’Round Midnight” — this set is one of Shepp’s most enjoyable ever.

The reasons are myriad, but it is in large part due to the fluid, loping bass of Richard Davis. Recorded in a club in front of a live audience, Shepp digs deep into his own history of influential tenor players and comes out not wanting, but on par with them, from Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis to Sonny Rollins to John Coltrane. His playing here is big, meaty, and warm, full of subtle emotions as well as bleating cries.

PERSONNEL:

• Archie Shepp – (tenor saxophone)
• Richard Davis – (bass)

Recorded October 1st, 1989, Club Cantare, Boston.

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Things Ain’t What They Used To Be
• A2. Body And Soul

• SIDE B
• B1. Pannonica
• B2. Round About Midnight