Personnel: Art Pepper (alto saxophone); Tommy Flanagan (piano); Red Mitchell (acoustic bass); Billy Higgins (drums); Kenneth Nash (percussion).
Recorded September 21, 1971.
Originally released on Galaxy (5127).
Composer: Art Pepper.
Personnel: Art Pepper (alto saxophone); Tommy Flanagan (piano); Billy Higgins (drums); Kenneth Nash (cowbells, reco-reco, percussion).
Recording information: Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA (09/21/1979).
Altoist Art Pepper recorded many albums for the Galaxy label during 1979-1982. Straight Life is pretty definitive and serves as a perfect introduction to Pepper's second (and most rewarding) period. Not only is there a superior version of Pepper's famous title cut but very emotional (and explorative) renditions of "September Song" and "Nature Boy." The quartet also featured pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Red Mitchell, and drummer Billy Higgins. Brilliant music. ~ Scott Yanow
