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Michel Portal & Richard Galliano: Concerts

By Jim Santella
October 6, 2004
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Michel Portal & Richard Galliano: Concerts

The duo of Michel Portal and Richard Galliano has brought us a decade of great mainstream jazz with a unique flavor. It's the accordion that makes their performances stand apart. By taking their audience on a tour of France, Argentina, and other exotic vacation spots, they continue to thrill. Portal moves fluidly with intense emotions, as Galliano supports with a lively foundation. All the while, they characterize folk dances from all over the world.

Recorded 1999 in Hamburg, 2001 in Antwerp, and 2003 in Milan, these three concert performances find both artists at their creative best. They mesmerize their audiences with a captivating allure.

"Giselle" floats gently on rustic clouds, as "Mozambique" dances with an exotic rhythm. Portal employs both clarinet and bass clarinet to paint his colorful landscapes. Accordion and bandoneon provide a quaint "Little Tango" for a different mood. Again, traditional dance remains a major influence on their music. "Libertango," with the same instrumentation, moves gallantly into a broader scope. Tension and release play a major role, as Portal and Galliano pay homage to the music of Astor Piazzolla. "Oblivion" and "Indifference," despite their titles, add considerable emotion to the formula. The two artists revel in letting their feelings flow freely through these pieces. Working before a live audience, both feel at ease with their expressive performances. Always a reliable pair, Portal and Galliano continue to impress with their combination of modern mainstream jazz with an exotic and colorful charm.

Track Listing

Tango pour Claude; Taraf; Giselle; Little Tango; Oblivion; Chorinho pra Ele; Ivan Ivanovitch Kossiakof; Viaggio; Libertango; Indifference; Mozambique; Face to Face; J.F.; Beija Flor.

Personnel

Michel Portal

clarinet, bass

Richard Galliano- accordion; Michel Portal- clarinet, bass clarinet, bandoneon, soprano saxophone, jazzophone.

Album information

Title: Concerts | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Dreyfus Records

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