Customer Reviews

Jim Hall & Pat Metheny

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I must admit that this cd had been collecting dust for the first two years of ownership in favor of ones (e.g. "Letter from Home") that featured Pat Metheny's brilliant guitar work in a group setting. Yeah, it was hard for my ear to appreciate some of the more subtle and contemplative guitar duet's found on this recording. But then a few things happened: I began to listen to the "Intermodulations" recording Jim Hall did with Bill Evans, which helped me appreciate Jim's ability to harmonize so well with other string instruments. Beautiful stuff! Around the same time I also began to become even more impressed with music Pat Metheny's done over the past 20 years, especially the way he harmonizes with Lyle Mays on keyboards. And the music Pat and Jim produce on this recording seems just as impressive. They are so much in tune with one another, it is obvious that both were putting out their best performances in an effort to convey their admiration for one another. There is even a wonderful rendition of "Into the Dream", made famous on Metheny's "Imaginary Day" recording, in which Hall's accompaniment adds a coat of lush texture to a tune that was already rich in harmony and imagination from the strokes of Metheny's 42-string pikasso guitar. So my advice is to give this cd a chance, and keep listening to appreciate the interplay between these two legendary musicians.

A great chance for Metheny fans to be introduced to Jim Hall, who is one of the all-time great jazz guitarists. Metheny's sound is so distinctive that he tends to dominate, just like last years "Summer Running" with Frisell. My only complaint is that Summertime has shades of a Windam Hill Winter in it. Overall, this is a great mix of standards, improvisations, and compositions by both artist.

I probably will end up repeating what others have said, but this is a beautiful guitar cd featuring two top-drawer players. The compositions are short and sweet and the interplay between Metheny and one of his influences is incredible.

This album is so delicate, so subtle, yet so full of intriguing textures and melodic surprises. You just put it on, close your eyes, and let these two masters take you away with their beautifully intricate playing. Often, the two guitarists sound like one, so much are they in synch with one another. Just delightful from first song to last. In this day and age of bombastic, empty-headed overplaying, it's wonderful to hear such expressive virtuosity.

For those who want a barrage of high-energy sound, look elsewhere. This album offers lots of intelligent interplay and fine melodies. Buy this if you want proof that great musicians evolve and grow; they don't just repeat all the old stuff.

Killer CD, two masters in top form. The interplay betwen them is just amazing, made even clearer by the choice to focus on the two guitars. Any fan of jazz or for that matter any guitar fans should check this cd out

I started listening to Pat Metheny a couple of years back, and he was one of the first jazz guitarists I heard that really got to me.
His unique, warm tone, and fluency - like running water but in impeccable form and distinction, in his playing, are things that make him one of the world's most amazing guitar players, in my book. Adding to this his enormous versatility in music, the reason he's my, and many others', greatest musical influence becomes quite clear.

Who I didn't know of until I saw this CD, was Jim Hall, oddly enough. Later on, I found out through reading a lot of Pat Metheny biographies and interviews, that Jim Hall has been one of Metheny's greatest musical influences.
Then it all became very clear to me.
Hall's warm, rich tone, and way of playing, is unmistakably reflected in Metheny's, but it's not a copy at all, and that's what makes great artists; learning from the master, but creating your own, and becoming a master yourself, in your own way.

In the store, I wanted to listen a little to this CD before buying it, only knowing who Pat Metheny was. After 20 seconds (literally), I took of the headphones and put my money on the desk. It was magic.
The way these two masters together interpret the songs on this cd; their own, others', is amazing. The music has such a strong soul in it, that it's kept this album very high on my list for as long as I've owned it (since it came out).

Hearing this CD is getting a remarkable insight into the fanstastic musical ideas and spirit of these two, amazing guitarists and human beings.
It has given me a whole new view on music, and it really steered me into a totally new understanding of music, being but a kid when I bought it (I was born in 1985).
I strongly recommend you buy it, too. This kind of chemistry doesn't happen very often.

Well this is one of my top recordings for 1999. Its a dream to hear two wonderful guitarists like this playing and improvising together. I've owned it for just two days but its been in my player continiously. I strongly suggest everyone hear this CD, especially if your a fan of Pat Metheny. Jim Hall was a great surprise to me, i shall now have to check out his own cd's.

This is a fabulous recording. Two pioneers sharing the same stage and studio. The arrangements are brillant. If you enjoyed Pat's collaboration with Charile Hayden "Beyond the Missori Sky," you will also enjoy this CD. While the mood is different on this recording, the playing is equally beautiful and haunting.

For guitar fans, the title of this CD says all that need be said. The chance to hear two of the premier guitarists on the scene today playing together will be an irresistible attraction, and those who pick up this CD will be well rewarded with nearly 74 minutes of well-recorded guitar duets. Six of the 17 cuts were recorded are live performances, while the rest are studio sessions. The tunes include originals by Hall, originals by Metheny, a few standards, and some improvisations made up on the spot by the two guitarists. Hall sticks to his normal electric guitar throughout, while Metheny plays a variety of guitars, both electric and acoustic, including his 42-string Pikasso guitar. To hear these two musicians interact is a joy, and not just for guitar fans.