These two guitarists -- one an elder statesman, the other still a
relatively young man in the midst of a stellar career -- are such a
natural fit that it's amazing no one's thought of getting them together
for a duo album before. Both play with a gentle touch and sweet tone,
and both are capable of challenging experimentation, though each have
spent most of their time in one mainstream tradition or another (
Jim Hall in straight-ahead jazz,
Pat Metheny in jazz-rock fusion). On this disc they focus on original compositions (
Metheny's "Farmer's Trust" and "Into the Dream,"
Hall's "Cold Spring" and "Waiting to Dance"), but there are also tunes by
Jerome Kern and
Steve Swallow
as well as the inevitable rendition of "Summertime." Their interplay is
nothing short of astounding, and the five improvisational pieces
scattered throughout the program sometimes sound as organized as the
standards. The mood does get a little bit samey after a while, and the
complete lack of high frequencies in both guitarists' tones might leave
you wondering if you've got water in your ear. But overall, this really
is a wonderful album.
aCá
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