Live at Village West

by Ken DrydenThe second live collaboration between bassist Ron Carter and guitarist Jim Hall follows their first recording together by a decade, but their chemistry together is every bit as strong, if not improved. Other than the occasional sound of the bar cash register, there is little in the way of background noise as the audience remains transfixed to the intricate improvisations of the duo, along with their solid comping for one another. The fare includes brilliant renditions of standards such as "All the Things You Are" and "Embraceable You"; classic jazz works like "Bag's Groove," "St. Thomas," and "Blue Monk"; along with originals like Carter's stunning "New Waltz" (with its very abstract improvised arrangement) and Hall's infectious "Down From Antigua," which deserves to become a jazz standard. Highly recommended.