For You Lot Jim Hall - 1995 Dialogues

Guitarist Jim Hall has long been i of the virtually open-minded of the of import stylists to emerge during the 1950s, as well as his harmonically advanced trend remains quite modern piece hinting at its foundations inward bop. For this Telarc CD, Hall teams upwardly alongside v major players on 2 numbers apiece: Guitarists Bill Frisell as well as Mike Stern, Joe Lovano on tenor, flugelhornist Tom Harrell, as well as Gil Goldstein on accordion. Bassist Scott Colley as well as drummer Andy Watson are on the Frisell as well as Lovano tracks, as well as purpose of the Harrell as well as Stern performances. All of the compositions merely "Skylark" are Hall originals and, although they are unremarkably a chip dry, in that place are about exceptions: "Uncle Ed" as well as "Frisell Frazzle" are a piddling nutty. The emphasis throughout is on interplay betwixt the atomic number 82 voices as well as advanced improvising. Despite his rigid sidemen (Stern as well as Harrell fare best), Jim Hall ends upwardly every bit the dominant phonation on virtually every selection, making this a laid his fans volition enjoy. - All Music

I discovered Jim Hall alongside this tape as well as was forthwith seduced. I'd heard of him every bit the major guitarist of the 1960s West Coast jazz tendency as well as didn't mean value such a legend could audio then modern today. The 10 pieces he wrote for this album are each astutely tailored for the instrumentalist he duets with.
The 2 pieces alongside Bill Frisell, whose playing is then characteristic as well as personal, brand that songwriting character clear as well as are an fantabulous intro to the album. On "Bon Ami", Joe Lovano delivers a real sensitive, powerful as well as moving tenor saxophone part. "Snowbound" showcases a both eerie as well as compelling purpose yesteryear Gil Goldstein ; what is that musical instrument he's playing, you lot wonder? It's a bass accordian (never heard that before) as well as the foreign manner he plays inward adds to the effect. The 2 pieces alongside Mike Stern are likewise amid my favorites. "Uncle Ed", inward particular, is a real lively blues, alongside fantabulous back upwardly from Andy Watson on drums. The "rivaling" solo as well as comp parts yesteryear Jim as well as Mike are incredibly bright ; Mike Stern hits an intense mid-solo of blues-rock-jazz fusion as well as Jim Hall's heartful as well as intense humming inward the background piece he gives all he has inward each of his notes is deeply moving.
A rigid add-on to whatever modern jazz fan's discotheque, I believe.  - By Lionel Lumbroso  

Jim Hall fix a disclose of invitee artists to play inward basically duo format. Most of the songs convey Scott Colley as well as Andy Watson playing bass as well as drums extremely tastefully, merely they intentionally remain to a greater extent than oftentimes than non inward the background. Jim Hall wrote virtually of the songs, as well as alongside "Frisell Frazzle" he came upwardly alongside an angular i for Bill Frisell. It's pretty good, though the adjacent vocal alongside Frisell, "Simple Things", is blander. Joe Lovano plays about hearty tenor sax on "Calypso Joe" as well as "Bon Ami". Tom Harrell is inward a chip of a Chet Baker manner during "Dream Steps" as well as the later on "Skylark". Jim Hall gives the beat department a pause during his songs alongside accordianist Gil Goldstein. "Snowbound" as well as "Dialogue" are mayhap the virtually headphoney on the songs - you lot convey to pay attending to the nuances to larn the virtually out of the songs. The 2 songs alongside Mike Stern, "Stern Stuff" as well as "Uncle Ed", are the swingingest.

Sometimes albums alongside a bunch of featured invitee artists tin endure a mess, merely this i plant because Jim Hall coaxes careful, subtle performances out of everyone (less then for Mike Stern, who livens things up), then the CD coheres, as well as doesn't bump along. - By Anthony Cooper

This recording features a dainty pick of music. The interplay betwixt Mr. Hall as well as his guests is real smooth, mellow, as well as results inward about fine jazz. I'd likewise recommend, if you lot tin uncovering it, every bit it is out of print, his collaboration alongside Ron Carter. Fine, fine recording. - By M. Chlanda

Down Beat (2/96, p.42) - four Stars - Very Good - "...Hall's playing...achieves a high-water score of musical poetry..."

JazzTimes (2/96, p.77) - "...A clever, open-minded concept resulting inward a stunning sonic watercolor of textures, moods as well as grooves..."

Village Voice (1/16/96) - Ranked #11 inward the Village Voice's Best Jazz Discs of '95 - "...The diverseness grows on you lot the means all the guests grew on Hall as well as vice versa. Not a annotation is wasted..."

Tracklist

1     Frisell Frazzle  4:47
2     Simple Things      6:26
3     Calypso Joe      5:17
4     Bon Ami      6:37
5     Dream Steps      4:45
6     Snowbound      6:19
7     Stern Stuff      5:12
8     Dialogue      4:34
9     Uncle Ed      5:03
10     Skylark          5:35


Personnel:

    Guitar – Jim Hall, Bill Frisell (tracks: 1, 2), Mike Stern (tracks: 7, 9)
    Accordion – Gil Goldstein (tracks: 6, 8)
    Bass – Scott Colley (tracks: 1 to 4, 7, 10)
    Drums – Andy Watson (tracks: 1 to 5, 7, 9, 10)
    Flugelhorn – Tom Harrell (tracks: 5, 10)   
    Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano (tracks: 3, 4)
    Written-By – Jim Hall (tracks: 1 to 9)

Notes
Recorded inward Studio A, Power Station, New York City, Feb 3, four & 25, 1995.
Mixed at Ambient Recording Co, Stamford, Connecticut, June 29, 1995.
Mastered at BMG Studios, New York City, July 13, 1995.