Search - Ray Brown, Jimmy Rowles :: Duo Sessions

"As good as it gets - even better than 5 stars"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 10/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everybody knows Ray Brown (bassist), is a legend just by himself, but when you get another veteran like Jimmy Rowles (pianist), who is a musicians musician, well something great is bound to happen. Within the world of jazz this duo is universally admired, so when you get the two together...look out, Concord Jazz knows this all too well - "As Good As It Gets" (1978) and "Tasty!" (1980), now two classic albums in one unique specially priced 2-CD package, simply called "THE DUO SESSIONS", such a deal!Jazz fans, these intimate, tasty and swinging jazz dialogs by the late master pianist Rowles and jazz bass legend Brown, well they're nothing less than consummate jazz artistry.The partnership between these two wonderful human beings is truly refreshing, with selections of Ellington, Gershwin, Porter, Arlen, Van Heusen, Kaempfert and even one composed by Jimmy Rowles. Concord Jazz, you've done it again...delicious, rhythmic, lazily lilting, airy styles of both musicians, compatible beyond all words...so "jazz lovers", it's all here...sit back and ENJOY!Total Time: Disc One 43:43 on 10 Tracks & Disc Two 37:37 on 8 Tracks... ..."

Truly as good as it gets...

Henry Mautner | Ludlow, KY, USA | 03/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These albums were legendary when they were released more than twenty years ago, and they have surrendered nothing to the intervening years. Aside from the obvious technical mastery and consummate professionalism that both Ray Brown and the late Jimmy Rowles brought to the procedings, what made these sessions unique was the telepathic interplay between two very distinctive musical personalities. To put it bluntly, neither of these storied artists ever released finer recordings than these. The performances are spontaneous, quirky, and yet never mannered, and virtually every tune receives close to a definitive performance - even the hackneyed Bert Kaempfert "L-O-V-E" comes off as a masterpiece. The recorded sound on the original records was demonstration quality, and of course on CD you're tempted to offer the performers a drink. At Concord's "2-fers" price this is more than a bargain - it's a steal."