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This meeting of two guitar masters—Stewart from Ireland, Hall from America—documents their hastily put together concert in Dublin’s Maccabi Hall the day after Christmas, 1982. Stewart, who had toured with the likes of Benny Goodman, Stephane Grappelli, Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott, and George Shearing, was often talked about with the same esteemed reserved for Stateside players like Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow, and Hall himself. That the two refined plectrists, both known for their harmonic sophistication, advanced facility, and exquisite taste, would finally get together well into their respective careers seems like a delightful twist of fate. The duo reveals an instant, joyful chemistry from the first few bars of the opener, “Stella by Starlight,” and continues that intimate dialogue through a gorgeous, unhurried rendition of Jimmy Van Heusen’s “But Beautiful” as well as a swinging take on Irving Berlin’s “How Deep Is the Ocean” and a spirited romp through Sonny Rollins’ buoyant calypso, “St. Thomas.” If one were to describe their respective styles, Stewart is the more dazzling single-note soloist of the two. But Hall’s tour de force rhythmic strumming on “St. Thomas” and his wholly contrapuntal, conversation manner on these standards is something to marvel at.
By Bill Milkowski
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