Charlie Haden & Antonio Forcione CD098 Heartplay
Posted by: Simon Drake on 20 December 2006
'Heartplay' by Charlie Haden & Antonio Forcione
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For those of you who have not already purchased our latest CD release on the Naim Label already; Heartplay is a subtle and sublime collaboration. Charlie and Antonio play a combination of compositions by each other, and a beautifully sparkling track called Child's Play by Fred Hersch. The album was recorded by Ken Christianson in Naim's very own tried, tested and spectacularly proved "True Stereo" method.MORE INFO
CLICK NOW TO BUY FROM OUR E-STORE
For those of you who have not already purchased our latest CD release on the Naim Label already; Heartplay is a subtle and sublime collaboration. Charlie and Antonio play a combination of compositions by each other, and a beautifully sparkling track called Child's Play by Fred Hersch. The album was recorded by Ken Christianson in Naim's very own tried, tested and spectacularly proved "True Stereo" method.MORE INFO
Posted on: 20 December 2006 by Simon Drake
REVIEWS
BBC i
DISC OF THE WEEK
"Veteran bassist Charlie Haden's long had an affection for the duo format and has recorded with partners as diverse as Ornette Coleman, John Taylor, Egberto Gismonti and Alice Coltrane. Here he's paired with Antonio Forcione, an Italian acoustic guitarist who's made his name on the British jazz circuit through appearances with Andy Shepperd, Trilok Gurtu and others.
Forcione's flamboyant, sometimes flamenco tinged expressionism is a good match for Haden's stately, resonant bass lines. The material is mainly geared towards the introspective, with a particularly beautiful take on Fred Hersch's sprightly "Child Song" being one of the few exceptions. But even then, it's hardly rocking out. Comparisons are bound to be drawn with Haden's collaboration with Pat Metheny, but there's more of an edge to this pairing. That's partly due to Forcione's slightly grittier approach and the unfussy, warm live recording (no ECM style reverb here).
Forcione provides four of the eight pieces, with the remaining three coming from the usual stable of Haden tunes that the bassist seems to bring to every session he does: "Las Pasionaria" and "Silence" and "For Turiya". Haden's solos are models of economy, completely devoid of pyrotechnics but stuffed with melody. His tone here is particularly sumptuous here as he weaves his way through Forcione's plangent chords.
Intimate, emotive music from an eminently well suited duo. More please..."
Peter Marsh
The Observer
"There are passages in this beautifully recorded album when Haden's bass and Forcione's guitar sound like one enormous acoustic instrument, so closely do their ideas echo one another. The first thing you notice is the delicacy of touch, in a piece like the impressionistic 'Snow', where notes and sparse chords hang suspended in stillness. Only then does the strength and virtuosity of their playing make its impact. Haden is a jazz hero from way back, but Forcione is still not as well known as he deserves to be. His distinctive combination of jazz with Spanish and other European influences is always full of surprises."
Dave Gelly
+++++++++++++++
The Guardian ****
"Admirers of unplugged world-guitarists such as Ralph Towner and Egberto Gismonti are natural recruits for the remarkable Antonio Forcione. Born in Italy but living in the UK, Forcione plays delicate jazzy love songs, stamping flamenco, Astor Piazzolla tangos, the blues, and a lot more. He has an untamed aspect that sets him apart from most guitar virtuosos, though; it's expressed in slewing, unresolved runs, gunshot single notes and feverish hammerings on the soundbox (he used to be a percussionist). These duets with the great American jazz bassist Charlie Haden feature reflective but restlessly mobile originals by both players, plus pianist Fred Hersch's lovely Child Song. Haden's flamenco-influenced La Pasionaria has increasingly impulsive diversions from the theme by Forcione, and a typical Haden solo of slow, humming sounds and stately ascents punctured by dramatic, explosively plucked accents. Forcione's tone-poem Snow is Frisell-like, and Haden's solo on his own Silence confirms how much he's always been able to express without hurrying. It's well up with the leaders in Haden's illustrious collection of duo encounters."
John Fordham - Friday November 3, 2006
++++++++++++++++
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. www.thenaimlabel.co.uk."
Ray Comiskey
BBC i
DISC OF THE WEEK
"Veteran bassist Charlie Haden's long had an affection for the duo format and has recorded with partners as diverse as Ornette Coleman, John Taylor, Egberto Gismonti and Alice Coltrane. Here he's paired with Antonio Forcione, an Italian acoustic guitarist who's made his name on the British jazz circuit through appearances with Andy Shepperd, Trilok Gurtu and others.
Forcione's flamboyant, sometimes flamenco tinged expressionism is a good match for Haden's stately, resonant bass lines. The material is mainly geared towards the introspective, with a particularly beautiful take on Fred Hersch's sprightly "Child Song" being one of the few exceptions. But even then, it's hardly rocking out. Comparisons are bound to be drawn with Haden's collaboration with Pat Metheny, but there's more of an edge to this pairing. That's partly due to Forcione's slightly grittier approach and the unfussy, warm live recording (no ECM style reverb here).
Forcione provides four of the eight pieces, with the remaining three coming from the usual stable of Haden tunes that the bassist seems to bring to every session he does: "Las Pasionaria" and "Silence" and "For Turiya". Haden's solos are models of economy, completely devoid of pyrotechnics but stuffed with melody. His tone here is particularly sumptuous here as he weaves his way through Forcione's plangent chords.
Intimate, emotive music from an eminently well suited duo. More please..."
Peter Marsh
The Observer
"There are passages in this beautifully recorded album when Haden's bass and Forcione's guitar sound like one enormous acoustic instrument, so closely do their ideas echo one another. The first thing you notice is the delicacy of touch, in a piece like the impressionistic 'Snow', where notes and sparse chords hang suspended in stillness. Only then does the strength and virtuosity of their playing make its impact. Haden is a jazz hero from way back, but Forcione is still not as well known as he deserves to be. His distinctive combination of jazz with Spanish and other European influences is always full of surprises."
Dave Gelly
+++++++++++++++
The Guardian ****
"Admirers of unplugged world-guitarists such as Ralph Towner and Egberto Gismonti are natural recruits for the remarkable Antonio Forcione. Born in Italy but living in the UK, Forcione plays delicate jazzy love songs, stamping flamenco, Astor Piazzolla tangos, the blues, and a lot more. He has an untamed aspect that sets him apart from most guitar virtuosos, though; it's expressed in slewing, unresolved runs, gunshot single notes and feverish hammerings on the soundbox (he used to be a percussionist). These duets with the great American jazz bassist Charlie Haden feature reflective but restlessly mobile originals by both players, plus pianist Fred Hersch's lovely Child Song. Haden's flamenco-influenced La Pasionaria has increasingly impulsive diversions from the theme by Forcione, and a typical Haden solo of slow, humming sounds and stately ascents punctured by dramatic, explosively plucked accents. Forcione's tone-poem Snow is Frisell-like, and Haden's solo on his own Silence confirms how much he's always been able to express without hurrying. It's well up with the leaders in Haden's illustrious collection of duo encounters."
John Fordham - Friday November 3, 2006
++++++++++++++++
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. www.thenaimlabel.co.uk."
Ray Comiskey
Posted on: 25 December 2006 by ken c
just got this saturday, because i like charlie haden. bloody good album...
enjoy
ken
enjoy
ken