Solid live set.
Timothy G. Niland | New Jersey, USA | 01/07/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a nice snapshot of David Murray in a quartet setting with John Hicks on piano, Fred Hopkins on bass and Ed Blackwell on drums, recorded on an unknown date at the famous Village Vanguard in New York City. This is part of a series of performance DVD's from the Vanguard, other titles include Lee Konitz and Freddie Hubbard. The video is well shot and clear and uses a couple of different camera angles to focus in on Murray and the band as well as a few shots of the audience.
The set (the video only shows one approximately 45 minute set) is made up of Murray originals for the most part, from the ballad "Ming" written for his wife to the joyous and upbeat "Morning Song" which contains several excellent solos from the band. This group had been recording and touring on and off for the past several years so they are very tight. Murray in particular sounds like he's thrilled to have such accompaniment and takes several extended solos. This is an interesting DVD and one only wishes it were longer. Recommended!"