Simply Cooking

Liner notes: Simply Cooking, Lew Woodall Quartet, Philology W387, Revelation Series 20 USA, VIRGINIA 1 Lew Woodall and his friends are not kids. This album presents irrefutable evidence that they are mature artists. But Lew Woodall, Hod O'Brien, Tom Harbeck, and Joel Lubliner deserve to appear in Philology's Revelation Series. I started this series in order to discover and expose young talent. I now realize that the real mission of the Revelation Series should be to present exciting talent that deserves wider recognition, regardless of age. On this beautifully natural recording, these four guys reveal that they know how to simply cook. If they were chefs, they would all be working in 5-star restaurants! Welcome to Philololgy, Paolo Piangiarelli I continue to be amazed at the quantity and quality of top jazz talent here in Virginia. Having lived in the state since 1970, I tend to think I've come across most of the great players, but then something like this gem from guitarist Lew Woodall drops in my lap. Simply Cooking is a total delight from start to finish-soulful, swinging versions of jazz standards driven to the next level with the unique approach of Woodall's guitar playing. On this, Lew's 3rd album as a leader, the listener can hear the full maturity of his distinctive sound, beautifully presented in Bobby Read's stellar recording. It's a somewhat hard-edged attack that manages to swing lightly, perhaps derived as much from Lew's tenure in rock and roll bands early in his career, as it is from the farming life he now leads in rural southwest Virginia. The choice of material suits his style well, taking well-known jazz vehicles like Softly As In A Morning Sunrise and I Can't Give You Anything But Love, and instilling in them a sense of urgency and passion that other versions often lack. Lew also contributes a trio of original tunes that blend in nicely with the program, most notably Staccato, with it's infectious tunefulness. It doesn't hurt that, along with his high caliber rhythm section of fellow Virginians Tom Harbeck (bass) and Joel Lubliner (drums), Lew was able to enlist a secret weapon in pianist Hod O'Brien. Now one of the greatest living practitioners of pure bebop piano playing, O'Brien has been part of the jazz scene since the late 1950's when he joined Oscar Pettiford's Quintet (replacing Bill Evans). Now residing in Charlottesville, Hod has recorded over 15 albums as a leader, and contributes his signature flowing lines of improvised melodic beauty to this project, exquisitely complementing Lew's guitar inventions. Now it's your turn to be amazed and delighted by some of our home grown artists here in Virginia. You will hear a lifetime of experiences voiced in this wonderfully enjoyable music, which Lew deceptively refers to as Simply Cooking. Gary Funston Host of Living Time WTJU, Charlottesville University of Virginia Simply Cooking-Lew Woodall Quartet: Lew Woodall (guitar) Tom Harbeck (bass) Joel Lubliner (drums) Hod O'Brien (piano) Simply swinging is the byword. This quartet has the Old Dominion driving in the fast lane. Lew Woodall's soliloquy on 'Softly As In The Morning Sunrise' is a study in real jazz, his ideation and O'Brien's solo are a joy to listen to. Hod O'Brien opens matters on Woodall's 'Staccato' followed by the man himself on guitar who plays on this tune like it was something good to eat. This tune gets off the ground all the way through. The 4 bar exchanges give everyone a chance for expression. I really liked the vocal on 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love' (Woodall?) I found myself scatting behind it. A real toe tapper. The title tune 'Simply Cooking' is done at racehorse tempo and cooks on all burners. Woodall's message is clear on this song, simply wail, and he grooves it magnificently. O'Brien's bop inspired solo is superb and again the chase chorus is magic. These cats keep the commonwealth of Virginia on the jazz map. An old expression states that 'Show Me Who You're Runnin' With, And I'll Show You Who You Are' and Lew Woodall has some fine running mates. 5 Stars J