Jim Hall Music

There is really not too much to say: this is just an EXCELLENT cd. It consists of Jim Hall playing together with one bass player, alternating on each track. The sheer joy of two musicians playing together makes this cd sparkle from beginning to end. The music at times swings, at other times consists of more experimental improvisations, but usually a wonderful mixture of those two. The bass players are some of the best around: Scott Colley, Dave Holland, Charlie Haden, George Mraz and Christian McBride. Just go ahead and listen to it... Personally I cannot get enough of it!

jim hall has done some outstanding duet albums over the years--"undercurrent" with bill evans and his recent album with pat metheny stand out--and this one certainly continues the success of those efforts. jim hall can be a contemplative, understated guitarist, and here partnered with a series of today's legends of the upright, he sets a quiet, but intense mood. there are actually two streams of thought presented--the odd numbered tracks are avant garde explorations, much like the work of the jimmy guiffre 3 or paul bley; while the even numbered tracks are straight-ahead workouts, full of blues and swing. that they alternate keeps the listener tuned in, wondering it is coming next, but it can be distracting--hence three stars instead of five. the playing is top notch throughout, and mr. hall uses both electric and acoustic guitar to good effect. this is strictly a matter of opinion, but i found it easier to listen to the cd by programming the even tracks or odd tracks separately depending on my mood--avant or straight ahead. still, a good album.