There’s a certain comaraderie among guitarists that seems to be nowhere else among other musicians. I mean, how many times do you hear two bassists saying, “Hey, let’s get together and jam”? Duet sessions between six stringers outweigh everyone else by a 10 fold factor. Here’s a pair of pickers that create, if not musical heaven, at least the top level of musical purgatory (for you fans of Dante’s Divine Comedy). Taylor, more jazz leaning than Emmanuel, has graced discs with the likes of Buddy DeFranco, while Emmanuel’s Ax (couldn’t resist !) is better known in a solo setting melding originals with Americana. Here, they mix both worlds and we are the better for it. Their rhythmic lilt on steady swingers such as “Jersey Bounce,” “A Smooth One” or “Lullaby of Birdland” is irresistably infectious; you can’t wait for one guy to finish his solo to see how the other will answer. On ballads, they bend the strings on a piece like “The Nearness of You” that make an Italian aria sound restrained. Cute selections such as “Heat Wave” or “Down at Cocomo’s” are perfect platters for serving clever interpretations, and there isn’t a pick or strum the whole album that fails to impress. They’re touring around right now-don’t miss this one!
Mesa/Blue Moon