Want to see what it’s like to hear true artists hold a musical discussion? Here are a pair of albums that feature duets between four of the greatest musicians of our generation. A Master Class of classy masters.
The meeting between guitarist Jim Hall and bassist Charlie Haden took place back in 1990 at the Montreal Jazz Festival. Why has it been hidden so long? These two gents, both departed to the next world, meet together and mix standards and originals with elegance, style and taste. What’s most impressive is that each song here has each man use his instrument in a different role or setting per song. Hall picks and snaps the strings on a bouncy and bopping “Bemsha Swing” and then does some gentle strumming on “First Song,” even going a bit folksy during “Down From Antigua.” Haden delivers a rich reading of the melody on ”Body and Soul” which Hall produces some lovely drapery. Haden shows his earthy roots while Hall shuffles in the background on ”Big Blues” and they both mix it up with some free form fun on “In the Moment.” Not a nanosecond of anything less than sublime joy.
Pianist Kenny Barron and bassist Dave Holland are still with us, and are actually on tour to support this recent recording. May I give you a kind suggestion? GO SEE THEM IF YOU LIVE WITHIN 200 MILES OF A SHOW!!! There are simply too few living artists that can get together like these gents and produce a level of sophistication and swing like you’re going to hear on this album. Being the last generation to have a living experience of bebop, they show absolute command and authority as they produce a dainty and bouncy take of Charlie Parker’s “Segment” and a insightfully joyous “In Walked Bud” while Barron’s own “The Only One” gives a digital salute to Thelonious Monk with some playful displays of prestidigitation. Together, they create a gracious trickle of running water on “The Oracle” and produce sensuous sambas on “”Dr. Do Right” and “Seasape.” The closing take of “Daydream” is truth in advertising, with fluffy cirrus clouds floating high in the sky. An album to cherish!
Impulse Records
Blue Note Records