Two of the most lyrical string artists got together at various times in their careers, and this 2 cd set captures the earliest collaboration. Cool toned Jim Hall had an off again, on again relationship with the melodious bassist & cellist Red Mitchel, with these three dates showing what taste, style and swing can accomplish.
They are put together in a quintet and two trio settings. The 1957 trio has Hall and Mitchell with Carl Perkins on piano, and they are in a bopping mood, as they swing with delight on “Seven Come Eleven,” “9:20 Special” and get bluesy to the bone on “Things Ain’t What They Used to Be.” The three are buoyant and joyful throughout, even on the glassy “Stella By Starlight.”
Mitchell takes over the piano and Red Kelly covers the bass parts on a 1960 session from The Modest Jazz Trio. The six songs here emphasize space, style and taste, as “I Remember You” and “ Willow Weep For Me” mix Hall’s thoughtful picks and strums with Mitchell’s surprising sophisticated piano musings. There is also a concert from 1960 with Mitchell on cello along with Hall and Frank Strazzeri/p, Jimmy Bond/b and Frank Butler/dr that is a thrill. There are times when Mitchell’s string work gives references to Django Reinhardt’s gypsy jazz chords as on “Jim’s Blues” and “Rejoice” whlie the team is a rivulet of rhythm on ”Night In Tunisia.” The three strings carom off each other with delight, giving the feel of a sonic hall of mirrors but never sounding cluttered.
This double disc is a double treat, and any guitar fan is going to fall in love with it.
Fresh Sound Records