Guitarist
Jim Hall
is the sort of musician who displays such technical expertise, imaginative conception, and elegance of line and phrase that almost any recording of his is worth hearing. Still,
Concierto
ranks among the best albums of his superb catalog. For starters, the personnel here is a jazz lover's dream come true.
Paul Desmond
(saxophone),
Chet Baker
(trumpet),
Roland Hanna
(piano),
Ron Carter
(bass), and
Steve Gadd
(drums) are on board, creating -- along with
Hall
-- one of the highest profile lineups ever put to tape. Yet
is not about star power and showboating. As subtle, nuanced, and considered as any of
's output, the ensemble playing here demonstrates great group sensitivity and interplay, giving precedence to mood and atmosphere over powerhouse soloing. Conductor and arranger
Don Sebesky
evinces a chamber ambience from the sextet on "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," the smoky "The Answer Is Yes," and the
centerpiece "Concierto de Aranjuez." ~ Anthony Tognazzini