10 July 2009
The Irish Times


Haden, who can say a lot without making the double bass sound like a guitar, forges a productive partnership with Forcione, an exceptional and individual acoustic guitarist, in a series of delicate yet robust duets of great intimacy and charm. The tonal contrast works well, and they make beautifully judged use of it to heighten the impact of their dialogue. The material, originals by Haden and Forcione, with Fred Hersch's Child's Play added, provides opportunities to explore a wide range of expression, from the flamenco echoes of Haden's La Pasionaria and the melancholy beauty of his Silence to the expressionism of Forcione's Snow and Nocturne and the lyrical romanticism of his Anna. And through the dramatic shifts of Haden's For Turiya the pair sustain the flow and interest so effectively that the 11-minute improvisation passes in a flash. Delightful.