Critic's Review
Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
This two-LP set has all of the music from the two Phil Woods albums Pairing Off and Phil and Quill, plus two songs from the latter date originally released on Bird Feathers. On all of the tracks, Woods is matched with fellow altoist Gene Quill. and they complement and constantly inspire each other. Pairing Off also features trumpeters Donald Byrd and Kenny Dorham, while two rhythm sections appear on the two separate sessions. The repertoire overall consists of nine little-known but worthy Phil Woods originals plus three standards. Although this attractive set is well worth picking up if one is lucky enough to run across it, all of the music has fortunately since been reissued on CD.
