Customer Reviews

Something Special

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This recording is aptly named. It is, indeed, "Something Special". Every track is a complete gem: beautiful compositions, great interaction, marvelous solos and musicality on the highest level. On top of all this, the sound quality is perfection. What an incredible sense of space and maturity in this music. Jim Hall is a genius of the subtle and "quiet fire". A very young Larry Goldings is a revelation here, playing piano only, and making one forget totally about his mastery of the B3. There's no drums, just guitar, piano and bass and sublime musical balance. I never tire of this music and I encourage any lover of timeless art to get this cd while you still can. It's worth the money - every last penny.

I found this at a used cd store for 3 bucks. I figured, "how bad can it be?" After all, we're talking Jim Hall here. Not exactly a lightweight. The title track is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful things you will hear in you life. The melody to Up for Air is like a Zen meditiation. It took me a while, but I can appreciate every tune on this record now. And I like it more all the time. The more time passes the more confident I am Jim Hall doesn't have a bad recording. He is one of the most important guitarists ever. Ever. I studied classical and all that too. Ever. If you don't own "Concierto" and "Live" get those. I just got "Live" and it is awesome. Hope you can pick this up for less than $25 but it's worth so much more than that.

This trio date with Larry Goldings on piano and Steve LaSpina on bass displays all of Jim Hall's brilliance as a songwriter and an absolute virtuoso on guitar. The interplay is wondrous between these musicians. Jim's subtle style can both carry a song as well as provide perfect accompaniment. One of my favorite jazz recordings among an archive of 2,000+. Don't hesitate to get this out-of-print recording if you can find it. Jim Hall is a national treasure!

Play list is hanged on a Cafeteria wall which is attractive and cool, and also self advertising the wonderful contents never betray you. JIm's plays are so quiet and warm embracing your body gently which only virtuoso could do through his play. I recall the night and atmosphere when I went to listen to his play at "Blue Note Tokyo" over 15 years ago.