Ron Carter and Jim Hall: Telepathy

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: August 1, 2001

Duo music as important as that of Haydn and Mozart.

Telepathy is the union on compact disc of two Ron Carter/Jim Hall live collaborations. Live at the Village Gate (Concord 4245, 1984) comprises the first disc of this two-disc set, while Telephone (Concord 4270, 1985) comprises the second. Collectively, Telepathy offers a seamless look a to of the most urbane and intelligent jazz musicians performing. Ron Carter brings to this duo his abstract yet grounded view of double-bass playing while Jim Hall provides his brand of the most delicate guitar playing I have heard in some time. Hall's guitar on this collection make me think of doilies very intricately woven from spider silk. His single note lines are spare and his chording precise and clear. He might be considered as Count Basie to Joe Pass' Art Tatum. Carter, for his part, is a completely empathetic accompanist and soloist.

Live at the Village Gate contains the most satisfying of music with an ultra bluesy "Bag's Groove", "Blue Monk", and a calypso "St. Thomas". But don't discount Telephone. It has a "Stardust" to swoon to. I found this set very enjoyable and would hope that the label has more plans like this one in the future. This is superb chamber jazz by two incredible practitioners at the pinnacle of their powers. Kudos to Concord for this repackaging.

Track Listing:

Disc One:Bag's Groove; All The Things You Are; Blue Monk; New Waltz; Down From Antigua; Summer Night; St. Thomas; Embraceable You; Laverne Walk; Baubles; Bangles And Beads. (Total Time: 58:44)

Disc Two:Introduction; Telephone; Indian Summer; Candlelight; Chorale And Dance; Alone Together; Stardust; Two's Blues. (Total Time: 43:39)

Personnel: Ron Carter: Bass; Jim Hall: Guitar.

Record Label: Concord Music Group
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream

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