Customer Reviews

Just Between Friends

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...these two have made duo records in the past, but their conversations never get old! This album has a wonderfully smoky, after-hours vibe to it, and despite the sparse instrumentation, it never feels empty. In fact, space is one of the great virtues of this session: they don't overplay, and the time glides along sweetly, barely being stated. Person is sweat and soul personified, and Carter displays the sort of melodic elegance he is so beloved for. Is it an important record? Not necessarily...but it is a great pleasure to listen to? Most definitely.

On a sonic note, this thing sounds great. Ron Carter has had one of the most atrocious bass sounds on record for the past few decades (the result of recording the signal directly from his pickup, which he insists on). Here, he has that warm wooly sound we first came to love him for...not sure if this is just a better pickup/amp setup, or if he just went acoustically 100% and let a mic do the work...either way, I wish he did it this way all the time!

it's beyond a thrill "on blueberry hill" recording. The unity between these two old friends is evident; the tunes are chosen with thought regarding lack of drums (especially on the bossa nova number); the purity of sound and the calmness that is the outcome are other points perhaps of interst to some. Finally, when is the last time you have seen notes in the insert!? This is value provided by an experienced listener which gives additional pleasure. Please bring back notes, Manfred.

Wonderful CD of Houston Person on sax and Ron Carter on bass. Houston deserves a lot more recognition.

Great songs from one of my favorite sax players, as usual great tone and good set of songs.