Recorded in Dublin's Trend Studios in July 1985, Acoustic Guitar Duets features perhaps two of the greatest living (at that time) jazz gúitarists from outside of the United States. Stewart, sadly, is no longer with us whilst Taylor continues to be at the forefront of the world's outstanding jazz guitarists.
Just as he did in the recently released duo set with Jim Hall, Stewart once again proves to be a man for all seasons. The two guitarists are the perfect foil for each other feeding ideas so seamlessly that it's difficult to tell where the join is.
Taylor first gained prominence as part of the Stéphane Grappelli Quartet and I recall hearing them at Caedmon Hall in Gateshead and marvelling at the dexterity of the young guitarist.
Stewart, if I remember rightly went on to join Grappelli after Taylor left.
As the album title implies, it is purely acoustic - no distortion units - what you hear is as it was played albeit digitally remixed and remastered from the original tapes (remember them?) to meet today's audio standards.
The choice of numbers is sublime. A mix of standards, jazz and bebop classics plus a couple of traditional melodies.
Impossible to pick out one above the rest however, I do have a soft spot for Jive at Five, a tune I've been hooked on ever since I heard it on the eponymous LP by Count Basie - the first piece of 12" vinyl I ever bought (Brunswick LAT 8028). I've heard many other versions since and the one before this one which really gelled with me was by another guitarist, Charlie Byrd on his Blues For Night People album. Acoustic Guitar Duets is up there in that class which is about as high as you can get.
Absolutely love it. Lance.
Release date November 8 on LIVIA RECORDS. BANDCAMP
Pick Yourself Up; Morning of the Carnival; Jive at Five; Billie's Bounce; Coming Through the Rye; Cherokee; Stompin' at the Savoy; Darn That Dream; Bernie's Tune; Farewell to Erin; Stompin' at the Savoy (alt. take).
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