The Iron Men (album)

The Iron Men
Studio album by Woody Shaw and Anthony Braxton
Released	1980
Recorded	April 6 & 13, 1977 Blue Rock Studio, New York City
Genre	Jazz
Length	42:42
Label	Muse MR 5160
Producer	Michael Cuscuna
Woody Shaw chronology
The Woody Shaw Concert Ensemble at the Berliner Jazztage (1976) The Iron Men (1980) Rosewood (1977)

The Iron Men is an album led by trumpeter Woody Shaw which was recorded in 1977 but not released on the Muse label until 1980.^[1][2] The Iron Men was reissued by Mosaic Records as part of Woody Shaw: The Complete Muse Sessions in 2013.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[4]

Scott Yanow of Allmusic stated, "This is a particularly interesting set by Woody Shaw (not yet reissued on CD) because it teams the trumpeter with the great saxophonist Anthony Braxton and such forward-thinking players as altoist Arthur Blythe, pianist Muhal Richard Abrams, bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Joe Chambers".^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Woody Shaw, Muhal Richard Abrams and Cecil McBee except as indicated

1. "Iron Man" (Eric Dolphy) - 6:30
2. "Jitterbug Waltz" (Fats Waller) - 8:26
3. "Symmetry" (Andrew Hill) - 8:24
4. "Diversion One" - 2:55
5. "Song of Songs" (Shaw) - 13:35
6. "Diversion Two" - 2:52

Personnel

• Woody Shaw - trumpet, cornet (track 2), flugelhorn (track 4 & 6)
• Anthony Braxton - clarinet (track 2), alto saxophone (track 3), soprano saxophone (track 5)
• Arthur Blythe - alto saxophone (track 1 & 5)
• Muhal Richard Abrams - piano
• Cecil McBee - bass
• Joe Chambers (tracks 1 & 3), Victor Lewis (tracks 2 & 5) - drums

References

1. Woody Shaw discography Archived 2013-10-17 at the Wayback Machine accessed August 21, 2013
2. Woody Shaw catalog accessed August 22, 2013
3. Yanow, S. Allmusic Review, accessed August 21, 2013
4. Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 178. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.