Jim Hall & Enrico Pieranunzi: Duologues (2005)
Personnel: Jim Hall: guitar; Enrico Pieranunzi: piano.
Tracks: Duologue 1; Careful; From E. To C.; Our Valentines; Duologue 2; The Point at Issue; Something Tells Me; Jimlogue; Duologue 3; Dreamlogue.
Duologues is a record of understated beauty that sneaks up on listeners. Greatness and respect is already well-established with both of these musicians given their careers thus far, and one would expect little less than an engaging record. But the ultimate beauty of their association here is how Jim Hall and Enrico Pieranunzi achieve a sense of understated playfulness through stimulating interactivity while dispensing with ego and safe zones.
Although Hall is recognized throughout the world as a guitarist without peer, Pieranunzi has flown under the radar in the U.S. save for his numerous highly rated albums also available on Cam Jazz such as Fellini Jazz (2003) and Doorways (2004). And just as his abilities are on full display there, Pieranunzi's talents are equally on display throughout Duologues. Working in tandem as he does on "Our Valentines," the understated feel that often permeates from the album is highlighted by Pieranunzi's single note runs weaving in and around Hall. Easily shifting gears from gentle ballad to more harried moments of force, the two have a simpatico that has a delicate balance of depth and beauty with no tricks.
There is often no real leader here as both men take the fore and recede in ways that defy the standard solo and comping roles. Although there are moments of upbeat forcefulness like "The Point of Issue" and its rollicking blues inflection, the mood here is one of astute beauty more so than anything else. And if the hardest thing to do in jazz is play a ballad in an open and honest way, these two are certainly masters of the music as they have no issues laying everything bare in a very glaring environment that can expose any imperfections.
Personnel: Jim Hall: guitar; Enrico Pieranunzi: piano.
Tracks: Duologue 1; Careful; From E. To C.; Our Valentines; Duologue 2; The Point at Issue; Something Tells Me; Jimlogue; Duologue 3; Dreamlogue.
Duologues is a record of understated beauty that sneaks up on listeners. Greatness and respect is already well-established with both of these musicians given their careers thus far, and one would expect little less than an engaging record. But the ultimate beauty of their association here is how Jim Hall and Enrico Pieranunzi achieve a sense of understated playfulness through stimulating interactivity while dispensing with ego and safe zones.
Although Hall is recognized throughout the world as a guitarist without peer, Pieranunzi has flown under the radar in the U.S. save for his numerous highly rated albums also available on Cam Jazz such as Fellini Jazz (2003) and Doorways (2004). And just as his abilities are on full display there, Pieranunzi's talents are equally on display throughout Duologues. Working in tandem as he does on "Our Valentines," the understated feel that often permeates from the album is highlighted by Pieranunzi's single note runs weaving in and around Hall. Easily shifting gears from gentle ballad to more harried moments of force, the two have a simpatico that has a delicate balance of depth and beauty with no tricks.
There is often no real leader here as both men take the fore and recede in ways that defy the standard solo and comping roles. Although there are moments of upbeat forcefulness like "The Point of Issue" and its rollicking blues inflection, the mood here is one of astute beauty more so than anything else. And if the hardest thing to do in jazz is play a ballad in an open and honest way, these two are certainly masters of the music as they have no issues laying everything bare in a very glaring environment that can expose any imperfections.
