Charlie Haden & Egberto Gismonti - In Montreal (rec. 1989, rel. 2001)

An ECM archival release where no album cover image was necessary - just the names of the two masters of their art who were involved, and an indication of the source recording: this was taped at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, on 6th July 1989, and was released 12 years later.  It's a fantastic 80 minute set of gorgeous, intimate music that showcases both bassist and guitarist/pianist for their melodic and harmonic talents.

Gismonti is heard on piano for five of these pieces, winding through some of his most beautiful tunes - I'm a sucker for a good Palhaço in any form, and the one here doesn't disappoint - and treats us to his guitar virtuosity on the other four.  Underpinning all of this is Haden's legendary bass playing, not so much framing each piece as building a rock-solid foundation beneath it, like a construction crew drilling deep into the earth.  The material is all Gismonti's apart from two Haden compositions, First Song and Silence, where the writer steps ably into the limelight as the lead instrument while Gismonti plays backup on guitar and piano respectively.  This whole album is perfect weekend contemplation par excellence.

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Previously posted at SGTG:
Circense
Sanfona
Dança Dos Escravos