Charlie Haden Jim Hall (2014)

"This intimate document was recorded during the Montreal Jazz Festival in 1990. Bassist Charlie Haden (1937-2014) and guitarist Jim Hall (1930-2013) played a number of duet concerts, but this was certainly among the very earliest. Over the years, both men had nearly perfected the artistry of playing in this particular chamber jazz setting. That all said, it does not prepare the listener for the canny, intimate, yet absolutely electric interplay on offer here. From readings of standards such as "Bemsha Swing," "Body and Soul," and Skylark" through to Ornette Coleman's "Turnaround" and excellent originals by both men - including Haden's bookends, the tenderly dissonant "First Song" and the knotty "In The Moment," and Hall's sprightly melodic Latin waltz "Down from Antigua" and his fingerpopping "Big Man Blues" - this music is an adventure top to bottom. It unfolds gradually and cannily over 76 minutes. This CD adds an immeasurable depth to the catalogs of both artists." (Thom Jurek, Allmusic; 4,5 uit 5 sterren)