Ballad Essentials
Jim Hall once described himself as "a composer who plays guitar." As this ballad collection shows, Hall's near-acoustic guitar lines move with a logic and linearity of composers likeBela Bartok, which has made Hall a favorite with musicians fromJohn LewisandSonny RollinstoArt FarmerandPaul Desmond. Hall's tone is sweet and lasting, especially in his singing solo take on "Poor Butterfly" and in his intimate duets with bassistRon Carteron "Embraceable You" and pianistGeorge Shearingon "Emily." Hall highlights his textural touches onDuke Ellington's "Prelude to a Kiss," the bossa nova "Beija-Flor," and the title track. If you want to hear what influenced players likePat Martino,Pat Metheny, andJohn Abercrombie, listen to the quiet and powerful Jim Hall.--Eugene Holley Jr.