The Viking

by Scott Yanow After countless sessions for Norman Granz's Pablo label as a sideman (including with Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass), bassist Niels Pedersen finally had an opportunity to lead his own Pablo date in 1983. The set of duets with guitarist Philip Catherine (which has not yet been reissued on CD) finds Pedersen engaging in close interplay with Catherine, whose sound sometimes recalls Django Reinhardt, although he has an improvising approach of his own. The music is split between standards, including "My Funny Valentine," "Nuages," and "I Fall In Love Too Easily," and inventive originals. A thought-provoking and well-played set of subtle and lyrical music.