Recorded only five months after
Moon Alley
,
Tom Harrell's
Open Air
is a good, if not particularly inspiring album made by what was essentially
Phil Woods'
band with
Rockwell
substituting for the leader on tenor. The material on
is a strong program of
Harrell
originals and standards. The writing, as is generally the case with
Harrell's
albums, is first-rate throughout. The title track, a wonderfully lyrical waltz with an unusual form, is one of the strongest compositions in the trumpeter's impressive songbook. With the exception of
, who sounds strong and focused throughout, the performances on
are slightly disappointing. Tenor saxophonist
Bob Rockwell's
rather technical, calculated delivery contrasts somewhat akwardly with
highly melodic approach. And although the rhythm section is fine throughout, they don't achieve the cohesive intensity they would often find on many of
records. Although not a bad record by any means, this isn't the place to start in
discography. ~ Dan Cross