James Moody & Al Cohn - Too Heavy for Words (2017) [Official Digital Download 24/88]

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James Moody & Al Cohn - Too Heavy for Words (2017) [Official Digital Download 24/88]

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Tenor sax battles have been an indelible part of jazz, as witnessed by the legendary Coleman Hawkins/Lester Young battles, the classic Dexter Gordon/Wardell Gray albums, and the Rollins/Coltrane "Tenor Madness". Add this 1971 skirmish between James Moody and Al Cohn to the list. A mainstay in Gillespie's big band and quintet, Moody worked with many of the music’s greats. His solo on I'm in the Mood for Love is a jazz classic. Cohn is recognized for his part in Woody Herman’s famous Four Brothers tenor sax section, as well as his quintet with fellow tenor great Zoot Sims.
[Moody and Cohn grew out of many of the same influences, and the two speak the same language: bop. They are backed by the exceptional rhythm section of legendary pianist Barry Harris, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Billy Brooks. Harris takes a Monkish intro on East of the Sun, with Moody's aggressive solo style set in congenial contrast to Cohn's more relaxed behind-the-beat play. After Harris’ solo, James and Al trade fours. Moody is featured on his charming ballad Vezzioso; a sense of Strayhorn runs through the piece, as Moody triple-times through the changes, while Harris keeps it slow and lovely. The two tenors are back together having fun on Tad Dameron’s jazz classic Good Bait; Moody takes off, while Cohn keeps it low-down and easy.

J.J. Johnson's blues We Dot is played at a bopping up-tempo; Al takes the first solo followed by James. There’s an extended Harris solo before Moody begins trading choruses with Cohn. With his laid-back, bluesy rendition of The Underdog, Cohn contributes a ballad of his own. On his relaxed-and-swinging Mr. George, Cohn takes the first solo, followed by Moody and Harris. The tenors then take turns trading eights with the drums, with Al taking first dibs. It’s a harmonious clash between like-minded tenor sax giants who are too heavy for words!