Pat Metheny Group Listener Network Web

Release date: April 27, 1999

The long-awaited duet recording from these two guitar giants is finally here. Jim Hall & Pat Metheny features elegant and intuitive improvising by two jazz masters in an exhilarating mix of seventeen compositions. The musical execution on display here shows an intensity that could only come from two accomplished players with such distinctive styles.

Recorded both in the studio and live at Manchester Craftsman's Guild in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jim Hall & Pat Metheny offers stunning versions of standards such as "All The Things You Are" and "Summertime." Also included are lesser-known gems like bassist Steve Swallow's "Falling Grace," "The Birds and the Bees" by Hungarian guitarist Attila Zoller and even a touching version of the summer camp song, "Heigh Ho." The album also features five adventurous improvisations.

The meeting of kindred spirits from different jazz generations can make for a singularly illuminating album, particularly when it is infused with ambition as well as affection. "Jim Hall & Pat Metheny" is something special in that regard, with the two guitarists having yielded a compelling duet disc from a series of live and studio sessions. The set juxtaposes an inspired selection of Hall and Metheny originals with a few aptly arranged standards and some purely extemporaneous passages. The pair conversed like family, with Metheny sharing his senior's gift for melodic discourse. Hall sticks to electric throughout, while Metheny goes form dueting on electric to providing Hall with various inventive backdrops on acoustic and more exotic guitars. The whole affair has a limpid grace, evoking Hall's famous albums with Bill Evans. Highlights include a heartland reading of "Summertime," a stunning version of Metheny's "Into The Dream," and a lovely turn on Hall's "Waiting To Dance." Sure to be one of the year's top jazz albums in terms of artistic achievement and popular appeal.

What happens when two living jazz-guitar legends from different generations get together? In this case, plenty: Influential, fresh-minded vet Hall and his more famous protege Metheny come up with a spare but rich duet that reveals their commonalities and distinctions. You get more than your money's worth with the friendly, clean-toned, and adventurous sprawl of 17 tracks - reconsidered standards, lovely originals, and a few improv snippets. A-

Lookin' Up

All the Things You Are

The Birds and the Bees

Improvisation No. 1

Falling Grace

Ballad Z

Summertime

Farmer's Trust

Cold Spring

Improvisation No. 2

Into the Dream

Don't Forget

Improvisation No. 3

Waiting To Dance

Improvisation No. 4

Improvisation No. 5

All Across the City

Check out a Quicktime version of cut three, "The Birds and the Bees."
To get Quicktime, go to: http://quicktime.apple.com

Recorded at Right Track Studios, New york, July 30-31, 1998, and Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August 1-2, 1998

Mixed at Right Track Studios, New York, October, 1998

Cold Spring and All Across the City were arranged by Jim; The Birds and the Bees, Summertime and Don't Forget were arranged by Pat; Ballad Z was arranged by Gil Goldstein, and all others were arranged by Jim and Pat.

Produced by: Gil Goldstein, Steve Rodby and Pat Metheny

Recording and Mixing Engineer: Jay Newland, assisted by Pete Karam

Assistant Engineers at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild: Jay Dudt and Jay Ashby

Technical Consultant at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild: Michael Bishop

Digital Assembly: Rob Eaton

Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound

Technical Coordination: David Oakes

Guitar Technician: Carolyn Chrzan

Project Coordination: David Sholemson

Production Coordination MCG (Pittsburgh): Marty Ashby

Premix Organization and Digital Editing: Steve Rodby

Live Announcer: Tony Mowod