LOUIS STEWART AND JIM HALL - The Dublin Concert - LP - Vinyl

LP - Black Vinyl

Previously unreleased 1982 live recording of Louis Stewart with Jim Hall, the only recording of the two guitar masters together.

The Dublin Concert is a unique 1982 live recording of two complimentary but stylistically different jazz guitar masters. The tapes were discovered in 2022 and have been mixed and beautifully mastered to create a stunning record of a brilliant improvised dialog mediated through jazz standards. It highlights the genius of both players.

Recorded in Dublin’s Maccabi Hall on 26th December 1982, The Dublin Concert captures both musicians in top form, performing standards with stunning close interaction and improvisation.

Bill Frisell’s biographer, Philip Watson, wrote the detailed sleeve notes which also include photographs and recollections from musicians who attended the gig to see their local hero and the then leading exponent of jazz guitar.

The concert was hastily arranged when it was learned that Jim was holidaying in Ireland. It is believed that Jim and Louis met in 1981 during Stewart’s New York Bechet’s residency. Louis was big admirer of Jim, particularly the duet albums with Bill Evans. Both musicians had previously recorded in duet settings. Though masters in different styles, they carefully listened and complimented each other.

“Look at what Santa brought us for Christmas” is how Louis introduced Jim.

The onstage recording set up was simple, just a mic on each guitar amp.

Tracklist:

1. STELLA BY STARLIGHT (Victor Young) Strong duo performance
2. 2 DEGREES EAST, 3 DEGREES WEST (John Lewis) Stunning solo from Jim
3. BUT BEAUTIFUL (Jimmy Van Heusen) Brilliant opening by Louis
4. ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE (Jerome Kern) * Low tempo solo performance
5. SAINT THOMAS (Sonny Rollins) Calypso tour de force
6. MY FUNNY VALENTINE (Rodgers/Hart) * Strikingly unusual interpretation
7. HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN (Irving Berlin) Great duet beginning
8. IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD (Duke Ellington) * Genius A / B part juggling by Jim

* = Jim Hall solo