Search - Jim Hall :: Concierto

An Essential Modern Jazz Guitar Album

J. Rich | 11/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Concierto" was recorded April 16th and 23rd at Van Gelder Studios, 1975. It is perhaps the most beautiful and lyrical jazz guitar album of all time. There's something about this album that just makes everything else seem secondary. That's an extreme statement for an extreme album.



Joining Jim Hall on this session are some really fantastic players. All these players are capable of impeccable lyricism and creative improvisation. Chet Baker on trumpet is a good choice. He always manages to find his voice on a record and does a fine job at providing that voice. Paul Desmond is on alto saxophone and is by far, in my opinion, one of the greatest alto players of his generation. He was so smooth and his technique was unmatched. What a wonderful player he was! Desmond had also been playing with Hall alot in those days. I would also suggest as a companion album to pick up "First Place Again," "Blue," or "Take Ten." All are fine albums by Desmond and also feature Jim Hall on guitar. On piano is Roland Hanna, whose name I was very unfamiliar with up until recently when I bought some Emily Remler albums. He's one of the greats and it's a shame I'm not more familiar with his work. On drums is Steve Gadd who is probably one of the finest drummers of our time. He's done alot of jazz fusion work too most notably with Al Di Meola and Jeff Beck. He surprisingly fits well into this group. He kind of lays back and goes with the flow instead of trying to outplay everyone. Finally we have Jim Hall whose one of the great jazz guitarists of our time. He's so lyrical with his playing and understated. He blends so well with other players. Never crowds them or tries to outplay them. Hall doesn't or never has had an ego. I can tell when somebody has an ego. In fact, most listeners of jazz music can tell when a musician has an ego they try to hog all the space and don't leave any room for the other players. Hall was never like that. He's also not about chops, although the man has plenty, he's not a flashy jazz player. He doesn't resort to licks. Every note the man plays is carefully constructed. A very subtle, melodic, and textural guitar player and an absolute master of harmony.



If you're a fan of jazz guitar, then you owe to yourself to acquire this fine release."

I remember...

Mark Twain | Valencia, Ca United States | 09/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember, while living in Chicago, a radio show in which *Sister (No Last Name)* spoke of when she spent 15 minutes in Heaven. Well to listen to the nineteen minutes of Concerto de Aranjuez seems to be a worthwhile, earthly, substitute."

Beautiful is musically defined

Wallace Bornong | Kirkland, WA | 04/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Concierto de Aranjuez is the musical definition of beautiful. Paul Desmond, Chet Baker, and Roland Hanna beautify the relationship between our ears and our heart."