Jim Hall on Telarc

[BlueMiles]

I’m looking for some comments on Jim Hall’s work on Telarc. I recently picked up “By Arrangement” (for a buck) and I’ve been enjoying it. This was my last Telarc to acquire. I now have all 8 CDs Hall did for Telarc, and I think they represent the finest run by any jazz artist on that label. Hall’s skills as musician, composer, and arranger have never been better showcased. His level of creativity was astonishing, given that he was 60 when signed by the label, and past 70 when he made the last of the recordings.

He continually set himself challenges. The first record, “Dedications & Inspirations,” is a long solo record, with mostly new material and a variety of approaches. To be sure, a long solo guitar record is hard to pull off. I don’t listen to this one much, but it has some fine moments.

Next up was the magnificent “Dialogues,” a series of encounters with Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano, Mike Stern, Tom Harrell, and Gil Goldstein. The creativity runs very high, and what a wonderful mix of guests. I’m especially impressed by the tracks that feature Lovano and Frisell (2 apiece).

I think “Textures” was next—certainly an unusual album, with plenty of interesting instrumental combinations and a Classical feel most of the times. Not everyone’s cup of tea—and not mine at first. But it has grown on me a lot!

“Panorma,” also with a lot of guests, is much jazzier and has that live vibe. A very strong CD throughout.

“By Arrangement” features very interesting approaches to often quite-familiar material. I especially like “Goodbye,” with Joe Lovano featured on clarinet and soprano. Hall contributes only 2 compositions this time (pretty good ones), but certainly the arranging is distinctive.

“Jim Hall & Pat Metheny” shows the full potential of what two guitars (with no help) can do. Outstanding record: a benchmark for the 2-guitar format.

“Grand Slam” is the full CD meeting with Lovano. Only 7 tunes. The first 3 tunes are good, but then it loses something. The liner notes suggest this was the “first” Grand Slam project. I wish there had been 1 or 2 more. This one is good, but they didn’t seem to reach full potential.

Hall’s last CD for Telarc was a very scaled-down effort: “Jim Hall and Basses.” The title says it all. You have to love strings (guitar and bass) to get into this one. It’s a challenging listen, like his first record for Telarc, but again there are fine moments.

Hall’s subtlety and creativity have long been acknowledged in the jazz word (dig those Jimmy Giuffre records from the 50s). But it was great to see what he did when given what I presume was full rein on Telarc. All those tunes, all those guests, wonderful cover art, first-rate linter notes…great stuff.

[Mike Schwartz]

BlueMiles;
I appreciate the comprehensive rundown.
I've probably heard most of these (if not all) and have at least a couple of them; none that I recall not liking.

Your testamony will 'get me back in there' to catch up a little more. Thanks

[José Domingos Raffaelli]

It is interesting to note that Jim Hall played on several combos which don'

[José Domingos Raffaelli]

It is interesting to note a coincidence about Jim Hall. He played on several combos without piano: Chico Hamilton Quintet, Jimmy Giufre trio, Art Farmer Quartet and Sonny Rollins quartet. The last time I heard him live (1997 at the Village Vanguard, his quartet also don't had piano: Jim, Chris Potter, Scott Colley and Terry Clarke.

Sorry the mistake on my previous post.

[clinthopson]

I think I have everything Jim Hall recorded with Chico, Guiffre and Rollins plus a whole lot more.

IMHO this guy is absolutely one of the guitar geniuses.

[A. Kingstone]

A single Jim Hall note sounds like a drop of water in a pond.

[BlueMiles]

Yep, there's no mistaking Jim Hall. What a touch he has on the guitar. But always trying new things too. He's got some rather odd elelctronic sounds on some tracks, especially the last two Telarc records. I imagine that in addition to influencing guys like Bill Frisell, Hall was in turn influenced by them.

Jim Hall pretty much dropped the piano on the Telarc dates. I think "Panorma" is the only one on which we hear piano--and I believe that CD has only 4 tracks with keys.

Of course, most of us recall his great work with Bill Evans. You should also check out his duets (sometimes a trio with Wayne Shorter) with Michel Petrucciani: "Power of Three."

[A. Kingstone]

There's a record with Red Mitchell that's stellar also.