Duologues

CAM5009 2005-09-13

Track List

Duologue 1 - 2:32
Careful - 5:23
From E. to C. - 6:14
Our Valentines - 10:42
Duologue 2 - 2:23
The Point At issue - 4:17
Something Tells Me - 4:38
Jimlogue - 4:36
Duologue 3 - 4:48
Dreamlogue - 6:24

Musicians

Jim Hall - electric guitar
Enrico Pieranunzi - piano

This first-time meeting of American guitarist Jim Hall and Italian pianist Enrico Pieranunzi is a trans-Atlantic collaboration seemingly dreamed up by the jazz gods. Filled with collaborative tunes as well as nuggets from each of their songbooks, Duologue is a 10-song conversation filled with colorful stories and wistful reminiscences.

It’s a mutual admiration affair with Hall saying “What a pleasure to finally record with Enrico.” Not to be topped, Pieranunzi adds: “To have recorded a duo with him makes this session a real privilege.” The two set the tone for this session with “Duologue I.” Here on the first of three such pieces, the duo improvises its way through a series of phrases and harmonic ideas – Hall adds interesting textures as Pieranunzi provides rock solid counterpoint.
The disc concludes with “Jimlogue,” “Duologue III,” and “Dreamlogue.” Each is the fruit a conversation that is going full bore. Regardless of what the order the session, these three closing tunes illustrate how strong the chemistry between the two players had grown. Seemingly pulling furthest away from each other during “Jimlogue,” they never seem to lose their sense of direction and end up right where they should at the song’s end.

As stately as a gilded ballroom from the Italian Renaissance, the album closer offers a beautiful classical-leaning piece composed by the pianist with Hall adding his own singular filigree.

Reviews

Hopefully, this compelling first meeting between Jim Hall and Enrico Pieranunzi will inspire a follow-up recording date.
Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

It’s great to hear them work without the structure of a song form to improvise over, yet it’s on the tracks with a more defined structure that these two really shine.
For instance, “The Point at Issue” (by Pieranunzi) features some playful jousting; Hall and he take turns slinging concentrated melodic jewels at one other. The playing is simultaneously thoughtful and gregarious.
Francis Lo Kee, All About Jazz