Jim Hall - Concierto (1975) [2003 SACD]

Guitarist Jim Hall is the sort of musician who displays such technical expertise, imaginative conception, and elegance of line and phrase that almost any recording of his is worth hearing. Still, Concierto ranks among the best albums of his superb catalog. For starters, the personnel here is a jazz lover's dream come true. Paul Desmond (saxophone), Chet Baker (trumpet), Roland Hanna (piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Steve Gadd (drums) are on board, creating -- along with Hall -- one of the highest profile lineups ever put to tape. Yet Concierto is not about star power and showboating. As subtle, nuanced, and considered as any of Hall's output, the ensemble playing here demonstrates great group sensitivity and interplay, giving precedence to mood and atmosphere over powerhouse soloing. Conductor and arranger Don Sebesky evinces a chamber ambience from the sextet on "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," the smoky "The Answer Is Yes," and the Hall centerpiece "Concierto de Aranjuez."

Tracks:

01. You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To 07:08
02. Two’s Blues 03:52
03. The Answer Is Yes 07:41
04. Concierto De Aranjuez 19:23
05. Rock Skippin’ 06:14
06. Unfinished Business, Based On ‘Paloma Azul’ 04:43
07. You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To (Alternate Take) 07:29
08. The Answer Is Yes (Alternate Take) 05:37
09. Rock Skippin’ (Alternate Take) 06:05

Personnel:

Alto Saxophone – Paul Desmond
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Steve Gadd
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – Roland Hanna
Trumpet – Chet Baker