Artist: Mike Hall

Date of Release: 25/10/2009

Catalogue no: 1923

Label: MHDWCD001

Price: £12

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Track Listing

Appearances by

Dan Whieldon

A little interview with Dan Whieldon

How did it happen?

"Mike and I had been playing together for a few years and felt it was time to record. There is a good chemistry when we play together and it feels relaxed. Being good mates also helps!

Was it a straightforward recording?

"Yes. It was recorded by Carl Raven, a brilliant musician who did a great job."

Why did you choose these tracks?

"We chose some of our favourite standards that we play on gigs. Enrico Pieranunzi is one of my favourite pianists and writers and Bob Mintzer one of Mike's favourite sax players so it was nice to do their tunes. Some originals had been written already, although Marina's song, for example was written for the album.

Reviews

10/11/2010 Kenneth Morris

This is a truly remarkable piece of modern jazz work – whilst seven of the 12 tracks (spread over xx minutes) are from non-UK composers, the rest are Mike and Dan originals and the whole CD is chock fill of original improvisation. Nothing that is in-accessible yet it is as modern and as fresh as a daisy. To put the style into some sort of perspective Mike lies between Hank Mobley and Mike Brecker and Dan between Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett – both men delivering intelligent exploration of whatever material is to hand, and there is a splendid variety of that, see below.

But the real secret of success here is that both guys swing like mad – not an easy task in a bass-less/drummer-less duo, and obviously assisted by the pretty impressive 'chemistry' of their partnership.

There are three 'standards': Gone with the Wind, Like Someone in love and A Ghost of a Chance the first two taken as medium tempo excursions. Ghost is a gorgeous 'crotchet 50' ballad displaying Mike's splendid grasp of the underlying sequence. Bop Boy (by Bob Mintzer) and Flying High (Mike Hall) are both finger tangling pieces again demonstrating superb technique and taste from both men. Coralie (by Enrico Pieranunzi) and Over the Moon (Mike again) are chamber jazz pieces of high quality. Dan Whieldon's two compositions Marina's Song and Waltz for Ronnie are excellent and strong tunes beautifully played. Shh...Don't tell Clare (Mike) and This is for Albert (Wayne Shorter) are medium tempo swingers and the final track When the Sun Comes Down (Joshua Redman) makes a fitting ending with its 'torch song' dynamics and lilt.

Strongly recommended – so much better quality, musically, than a great deal of the stuff being issued today by the major labels which in reality have little or no jazz or indeed original content.

Kenneth Morris.

05/11/2010 Y Parker

"The combination of piano and saxophone opens up so many possibilities, especially when improvisation is involved. The music can change direction as and when it needs to. I first met Dan in July 2004 on a background music duo gig that we played in a restaurant in Buxton. I knew immediately that there was musical chemistry here which was special; a pianist who was listening, reacting and tastefully exchanging ideas. Since then we have gone on to play many concerts together and have at last captured some of our music on CD."


Mike Hall wrote this inside of his CD "Over the Moon"


These track titles gave me a sweet anticipation. It is like chapters of storybook, I thought. What kind of story they are going to tell?


From beginning to the end, Mike and Dan show imagination and creativity. The CD is jam-packed with melancholic and passionate notes which grab you. You can see the picture they are painting. This CD reveals a sound-world of totally original improvisation. No wonder the word "chemistry" is appropriate between them.


When the CD ended silence filled the room. And in my head, these sounds became a part of my mental furniture for the rest of the day.