At the Vanguard [live]

by Scott YanowRecorded the day after a similar album (Live From New York) was cut for Palo Alto, this fine effort by the Phil Woods Quartet (with pianist Hal Galper, bassist Steve Gilmore and drummer Bill Goodwin) features the great altoist performing his usual mix of superior and generally less-played standards, ballads and obscurities (including Red Mitchell's "It's Time to Emulate the Japanese"), along with his original "Reet's Neet." The music is straight-ahead and boppish, but not overly predictable. A burning version of "All Through the Night" and Woods' clarinet feature on "Nardis" are highlights.