Reviewed: 2018-02-04
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: “One of the most eminent exponents of the instrument, he maintains an astonishing level of virtuosity.” – LA Times This two-disc set highlights his capacities and his original compositions through duos with two dynamic improvisors he's partnered with over the years. Disc one is a live set with saxophonist Joe Manis & disc two is in the studio with guitarist Larry Koonse. The live date has more range & solos, but both are top notch performances. “New Hope” is performed on both.
If You Like: (Disc 1): Jane Ira Bloom, Paul McCandless, Eberhard Weber, Bjorn Meyer (Disc 2): Ralph Towner, Glenn Moore, Bill Frissell
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
Disc 1
*1/ Wrinkle (4:34) – sax starts> midtempo swing jam swings uptempo> bass solo> midtempo jam> quick stop
2/ Basic Strategy (4:48) – bass starts> midtempo jam with middle eastern vibe> sax swings uptempo> midtempo jam> quick stop
*3/ Brilliant Heart (5:00) – sax starts with slow solo> slow jam with piano> piano solo> gorgeous sax solo> slow duet> slow fade
*4/ Martin’s Balcony (2:47) – bass starts> midtempo jam with flute-like tenor sax> bass solo> duet> quick stop
5/ Left Field Blues (3:14) – sax starts> swinging uptempo duet> bass solo> duet> quick stop
6/ New Hope (3:31) – piano starts with slow solo> slow duet> fade
7/ Roof Tops (4:41) – bass starts> uptempo duet> bass solo> uptempo duet> bass solo to fade
*8/ Seam Line (6:01) – bass solo starts, slow & complex> slidesinto slow duet> sax solo swings wild> uptempo duet> quick fade
9/ Going Forth (6:14) – piano starts> slow duet> piano solo> slow duet> sax swings out & then mellows to fade
*10/ Lament For the Lost/ Procession (8:15) – bass starts with sliding notes> slow duet with flute-like tenor sax> fade> false stop> midtempo duet & interplay morphs into duet with percussive effect> sax solo> duet fades
Disc 2
11/ Make Believe (4:11) – midtempo duet with interesting counterpoint> quick fade
*12/ New Hope (4:15) – guitar starts> midtempo duet with shifting patters> quick fade
*13/ Romantic (3:45) - guitar starts> uptempo duet> crescendo end
14/ Quietly Unfolding (4:18) – guitar starts> slow duet> slow fade
15/ Alaskan Waters (4:14) – guitar starts> uptempo duet> slow fade
16/ Undisclosed (5:20) – guitar starts> > midtempo duet> guitar solo> slow duet> slow fade
*17/ At Last, At Rest (4:05) - guitar starts> slow duet> bass solo> guitar solo> slow duet> quick fade
*18/ Passage (3:57) – guitar starts> uptempo duet> quick fade
19/ My Faith, My Life (4:06) – guitar starts> slow duet> slow fade