Jim Hall Music

the reviewer above did a wonderful job about this album!
i was trying to get a copy of hall-carter's "alone together" classic from 1972. i stumbled upon "telephone" from 1984. while i will continue to search for alone together, this effort will satisfy my desire to listen to these two great musicians

I have had this CD for a number of years, I love it, and decided to write this review just because no one else had and, without some postive feedback, people who would be good candidates for buying this CD might skip it.

The music on this CD is not especially "far out," it's fairly easy to follow and will be accessible to most non jazz-afficianados. Jim Hall's playing is up to his usual high standard with beautiful melodies and exquisite intonation from his hollow-body buitar. Carter is, of course, a master bassist of tremendous technical ability and musical feeling. His playing on this album is reserved and well-integrated with Hall's, yet Carter never becomes Hall's sideman; rather he is an equal who plays conservatively yet with presence so that each performance is a true duet.

If you are a jazz afficianado, you don't need to be told about either Hall or Carter. If you're just getting into jazz, this CD is an undiscovered gem that you will find immediately satisfying while at the same time it will enrich your experience and provide just enough challenge in the listening to take you further into the genre.

the reviewer above did a wonderful job about this album!
i was trying to get a copy of hall-carter's "alone together" classic from 1972. i stumbled upon "telephone" from 1984. while i will continue to search for alone together, this effort will satisfy my desire to listen to these two great musicians

I have had this CD for a number of years, I love it, and decided to write this review just because no one else had and, without some postive feedback, people who would be good candidates for buying this CD might skip it.

The music on this CD is not especially "far out," it's fairly easy to follow and will be accessible to most non jazz-afficianados. Jim Hall's playing is up to his usual high standard with beautiful melodies and exquisite intonation from his hollow-body buitar. Carter is, of course, a master bassist of tremendous technical ability and musical feeling. His playing on this album is reserved and well-integrated with Hall's, yet Carter never becomes Hall's sideman; rather he is an equal who plays conservatively yet with presence so that each performance is a true duet.

If you are a jazz afficianado, you don't need to be told about either Hall or Carter. If you're just getting into jazz, this CD is an undiscovered gem that you will find immediately satisfying while at the same time it will enrich your experience and provide just enough challenge in the listening to take you further into the genre.

the reviewer above did a wonderful job about this album!
i was trying to get a copy of hall-carter's "alone together" classic from 1972. i stumbled upon "telephone" from 1984. while i will continue to search for alone together, this effort will satisfy my desire to listen to these two great musicians

I have had this CD for a number of years, I love it, and decided to write this review just because no one else had and, without some postive feedback, people who would be good candidates for buying this CD might skip it.

The music on this CD is not especially "far out," it's fairly easy to follow and will be accessible to most non jazz-afficianados. Jim Hall's playing is up to his usual high standard with beautiful melodies and exquisite intonation from his hollow-body buitar. Carter is, of course, a master bassist of tremendous technical ability and musical feeling. His playing on this album is reserved and well-integrated with Hall's, yet Carter never becomes Hall's sideman; rather he is an equal who plays conservatively yet with presence so that each performance is a true duet.

If you are a jazz afficianado, you don't need to be told about either Hall or Carter. If you're just getting into jazz, this CD is an undiscovered gem that you will find immediately satisfying while at the same time it will enrich your experience and provide just enough challenge in the listening to take you further into the genre.

the reviewer above did a wonderful job about this album!
i was trying to get a copy of hall-carter's "alone together" classic from 1972. i stumbled upon "telephone" from 1984. while i will continue to search for alone together, this effort will satisfy my desire to listen to these two great musicians

I have had this CD for a number of years, I love it, and decided to write this review just because no one else had and, without some postive feedback, people who would be good candidates for buying this CD might skip it.

The music on this CD is not especially "far out," it's fairly easy to follow and will be accessible to most non jazz-afficianados. Jim Hall's playing is up to his usual high standard with beautiful melodies and exquisite intonation from his hollow-body buitar. Carter is, of course, a master bassist of tremendous technical ability and musical feeling. His playing on this album is reserved and well-integrated with Hall's, yet Carter never becomes Hall's sideman; rather he is an equal who plays conservatively yet with presence so that each performance is a true duet.

If you are a jazz afficianado, you don't need to be told about either Hall or Carter. If you're just getting into jazz, this CD is an undiscovered gem that you will find immediately satisfying while at the same time it will enrich your experience and provide just enough challenge in the listening to take you further into the genre.

Let first of all say that this album is NOT live, so Amazon please correct your error.

"These Rooms" was released in 1988 and has become a very sought after recording. I have been looking for this album for years. I finally got it at a decent price (paid $15) and what a bargain compared to the other prices I've found it for online!

Jim Hall is joined by trumpeter Tom Harrell on trumpet, Steve La Spina on bass, and Joey Baron on drums. What a remarkable lineup it is! It has turned out to be one my favorite Hall recordings right next to "All Across THe City" and "Concierto." All of the playing is as expected very melodic and the interplay is fantastic.

The music itself falls somewhere between the bebop tradition and post-bop. It's kind of hard to describe, but it's great, great music.

If you see this album for a decent price don't hesitate to pick it up, because it doesn't look like this one will come back in print anytime soon. If you can find "Circles" on Concord Records I recommend that one as well. Happy hunting!

Thankfully, this superb recording appears to be available again, after several years of being scarce. Any fans of Hall or Harrell, or of intimate, conversational modern jazz, will enjoy this immensely. Recorded in a very spontaneous manner, capturing subtle sounds such as the acoustic/electric blend of Hall's guitar tone and Harrell's sometimes breathy attack--and Joey Baron dropping his drumsticks all over his set as a comical ending on one tune. Delightful in every way.