Customer Reviews

All Across the City

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4 star:		(1)
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"All Across the City" released on Concord Records in 1989 is a very fine recording. Jim Hall who is known collectively as the "Godfather of Modern Jazz Guitar" really plays great jazz guitar. His subtle sense of swing, harmony, and melody have made him a legend. You can hear his influence in other jazz guitar masters like Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, and John Abercrombie. You can probably even hear it in my own playing! Who knows!

I'm not going to talk too much about the music because the music can speak for itself, but let me add that this is a beautiful album. Every tune is just a world of its own. On a special note, Gil Goldstein gives a remarkable performance. His presence on this album gives it a very special feeling.

Pick this album up if you're into jazz guitar and more importantly are a fan of Jim Hall.

Hall's small handful of Concord albums in the 1980s were sort of studio extensions of the sound and approach found on the great trio record "Jim Hall Live!" album from 1975. This, the final Concord session, adds keyboards to the trio sound, but otherwise the record is another mix of standards and originals played in his inimitable style. The 90s saw Hall mix things up with a new concept or unusual grouping of musicians on almost every release; it wasn't until 2004's Magic Meeting that he cut another record with a standard rhythm section where he didn't share the spotlight with a horn player or more elaborate orchestration. Hall usually succeeds on at least a few cuts no matter what his concept or context, but the Concord records are easy recommendations for those who want more of his earlier sound and style that influenced many, many players from the famous to the weekend warriors.

Trivia time: Anyone notice that the cover of this 1989 release is similar to the cover of John Scofield's 1989 "Flat Out", with the difference being that Scofield's cover is shot at night and Sco's rooftop backdrop is grittier and more "urban" feeling (a bit of graffiti on the low concrete ledge is all you see behind Sco, whereas Hall sits in an elegant rooftop garden). I've always wondered if Sco was paying a little tribute, though it could easily be a coincidence or even Hall tipping his hat to John.

I have owned this record by Jim for several years and I find it very beautiful. Even if it has some synthesizers added here and there, which may be considered an awkward decision by a Jazz master, in this case I wouldn't agree. This recording remind me of another successful attempt in this sport (mixing traditional sounds with modern touches on a standards repertoire), which is Michel Petrucciani "Live". Beautiful! This one is different, it's softer, more intimate than the Petrucciani album. It's very beautiful in the sense that in my opinion let Jim personality on the guitar shine very brightly and in an extremely clear way. I feel him free to improvise because he has a full ensemble behind him (with Gil Goldstein playing piano and the few keys), something that he had not so often in the past (he played a lot of records as the main harmonic instrument, a role very difficult and limiting in a sense for a guitarist or as a part of a duo...). Well, this album is very easy to love. It is very melodic, .. don't be fooled by what I have just said. There are keyboard touches here and there, but this is absolutely Jazz, nothing less (it's nothing near the elevator music, if someone had such a doubt). It is the music Jim is very well know for, a delicate, intimate, storytelling kind of Jazz that a lot of people in this case may like becuase it is very accessible (even if deep musically as Jim always is). The program is various enough, there are some standards some Jazz originals, some songs written by Jim and some written by Jane Hall, that I believe is his wife. The band is wonderful. Goldstein piano, Steve La Spina double bass, Terry Clark drums. Two more considerations, one is about the audio quality which is very high (I have the normal cd version, NOT the SACD). The second consideration, that I repeat closing my review is that this is a very easy to love album that everyone can enjoy even people not very familiar with Jazz because Jimm playing is very easy to follow and the ensemble plays in a very conservative way (but still really great). Nice Uncle Jim!

PS (By the way I find the cover extremely beautiful, ... Jim is there on his terrace, relaxed with his precious D'Aquisto guitar in his hand in a lovely summer Jazz evening, ... with the Towers still there... a very peaceful and happy image to me).

"All Across the City" released on Concord Records in 1989 is a very fine recording. Jim Hall who is known collectively as the "Godfather of Modern Jazz Guitar" really plays great jazz guitar. His subtle sense of swing, harmony, and melody have made him a legend. You can hear his influence in other jazz guitar masters like Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, and John Abercrombie. You can probably even hear it in my own playing! Who knows!

I'm not going to talk too much about the music because the music can speak for itself, but let me add that this is a beautiful album. Every tune is just a world of its own. On a special note, Gil Goldstein gives a remarkable performance. His presence on this album gives it a very special feeling.

Pick this album up if you're into jazz guitar and more importantly are a fan of Jim Hall.