Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Django (Remastered) (2001/2020) [Official Digital Download 24/88]

With the name Django, one would assume this album is in honor of guitarist Django Reinhardt. Instead, the set is dedicated to the members of the Modern Jazz Quartet, who pioneered chamber jazz, the style that dominates this session with flautist Ryerson. Ryerson's passion for Brazilian music is well known. Jazz veteran Joe Beck, one of the first to mix jazz and rock guitar, uses an alto guitar which he invented. It provides a strong harmonically mellow and rhythmic cushion upon which Ryerson carries the melody line with her expressive, buoyant flute. If anything, this album is epitomized by some striking improvising. The two generally take one chorus, stating the melody, and then let their collective imagination take over. That they play together rather than separately when they extemporize makes this album distinctive. And they do it successfully whether the tune be one by Miles Davis or Johnny Mercer. With just the two instruments, their inventive way of collaborating makes sure that the listener's attention will not drift away.

"Joe Beck and Ali Ryerson have been working as a team for more than four years, playing concerts and other gigs under the name Duo. This is their second album, and, with the name Django, one would assume it is in honor of guitarist Django Reinhardt. Instead, the set is dedicated to the members of the Modern Jazz Quartet, who pioneered chamber jazz, the style that dominates this session with flautist Ryerson. John Lewis' "Django" is one of the tunes on the agenda that they play within the chamber style. Ryerson's passion for Brazilian music is documented on her six albums for Concord Jazz. She gets to show her mastery of this tempo on "Carioca Blue" and "O Barquinho." Jazz veteran Joe Beck, one of the first to mix jazz and rock guitar, uses an alto guitar which he invented. It provides a strong harmonically mellow and rhythmic cushion upon which Ryerson carries the melody line with her expressive, buoyant flute. Their mutual comfort is evident on such tunes as the medley "Come Together"/"Alone Together" and expresses itself on a haunting rendition of "Tenderly." If anything, this album is epitomized by some striking improvising. The two generally take one chorus, stating the melody, and then let their collective imagination take over. That they play together rather than separately when they extemporize makes this album distinctive. And they do it successfully whether the tune be one by Miles Davis or Johnny Mercer. With just the two instruments, their inventive way of collaborating makes sure that the listener's attention will not drift away. Recommended." (Dave Nathan, AMG)

TRACKLIST

1. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - People Make the World Go 'Round!
2. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Laura
3. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Django
4. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Carioca Blue
5. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - When I Fall in Love
6. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Spain
7. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Come Toghether / Alone Togehter
8. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Tenderly
9. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Hobo
10. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - It Takes Two
11. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - O Barquinho
12. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Nardis
13. Joe Beck & Ali Ryerson - Danny Boy



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