Sabino de Bari and Diana Torti: It's All We Have

A working twosome since 2006, vocalist Diana Torti and guitarist Sabino de Bari reveal the many benefits of a long-standing musical partnership. While they have collaborated on many projects over the years, It's All We Have represents just their second duo album—and it is a fine one, with the creative melding of both artists' visions into a winsome and accessible package.

On a Cloud (SLAM Productions, 2019), the pair's prior outing, offered a bracing collection of tunes which sometimes veered into avant-garde territory, with compositions by Mal Waldron and Jeanne Lee featured alongside more standard fare such as Hoagy Carmichael's "Honeysuckle Rose" and Thelonious Monk's "Misterioso." Torti's own clever compositions were also in evidence, frequently employing her wordless vocalese in scintillating dialogue with de Bari. In contrast, the emphasis here is on de Bari's muse, as he wrote all the tunes on It's All We Have. The resulting music may be a bit less adventurous overall, but it is no less appealing for that, as it is evident that de Bari has an ear for a compelling melody and possesses a graceful touch on his instrument, displayed to excellent effect on these mostly low-key, reflective pieces.

Songs such as "Beyond Clouds" and "In Spite of Everything" are carried along by an easy-going folkish quality, de Bari's guitar bringing out the inviting warmth in Torti's voice. Other tracks throw in a few surprises, such as the infectious opener, "The Extra Something," with de Bari's oblique twang catalyzing Torti's more mischievous temperament. And "Melodia" leads off with de Bari's prodigious classical skills at the forefront, with a gorgeous intro that turns into something Middle Eastern-flavored, as Torti's wordless exclamations lead her into an ecstatic fervor.

The album is shaped by a political sensibility addressing everything from the travails of late capitalism to climate change; Emily Dickinson's poetry is used to particularly fine effect on "A Little Road Not Made of Man," a poignant meditation on the fragile wonders of nature. Even John Hay, U.S. Secretary of State during the Spanish-American War, provides ironic inspiration for "Cuba Libre," as his famous "splendid little war" quote serves to launch Torti into a lively discourse on imperialism, with de Bari punctuating her phrases with some feisty percussive slaps and fleet-fingered flights.

While both artists maintain a busy involvement in various other endeavors, it is clear that their duo partnership offers perhaps the best setting to cultivate their multifaceted creativity. It turns out that It's All We Have is more than enough to provide fifty minutes of enjoyable, engaging music.

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