JOHN ABERCROMBIE - Farewell (1993) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This 1993 recording is a follow-up to an earlier duo session by Andy LaVerne and John Abercrombie, although they add bassist George Mraz and drummer Adam Nussbaum for this date. Following a rather upbeat, introspective arrangement of the standard "Beautiful Love," they stick to originals by either the pianist or the guitarist. LaVerne's "Mother of Pearl" is a shimmering post-bop work that is full of surprises, while "Opal" is a treasure of a different sort, prominently featuring Abercrombie's brittle-sounding electric guitar. Abercrombie's "Monk Like" has a quirky line much like its namesake might employ, and the unpredictable ballad "Farewell" serves as an appropriate conclusion to this enjoyable CD. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Beautiful Love 6:34
Haven Gillespie / Wayne King / Egbert VanAlstyne / Victor Young
2     Monk Life 5:42
John Abercrombie
3     Ralph's Piano Waltz 6:58
John Abercrombie
4     Mother of Pearl 6:53
Andy LaVerne
5     I Mean 8:21
John Abercrombie
6     Opus 25 6:28
John Abercrombie
7     Opal 7:09
Andy LaVerne
8     Farewell 5:33
John Abercrombie
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Adam Nussbaum
Guitar – John Abercrombie
Piano – Andy LaVerne

ANDY LAVERNE WITH JOHN ABERCROMBIE - Natural Living (2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This duo date marks the first occasion during which Andy LaVerne and John Abercrombie played together, so with the impressive results it isn't surprising to learn that they would get together again in the studio. The give and take between the pianist and guitarist is at the high level of the Bill Evans-Jim Hall sessions. An inventive interpretation of "Sweet and Lovely" starts things off at a high level. They skim the surface of "All the Things You Are" by adding some interesting re-harmonization, while "When You Wish Upon a Star" has a rhapsodic introduction by LaVerne and wonderful comping by each player for his partner's solo. The influence of Bill Evans upon LaVerne's playing during "Stella by Starlight." Both men also contributed original tunes to the date. LaVerne's "Natural Living" is a hard to predict bossa nova with Abercrombie on acoustic guitar, while the pianist's "Archetypal Schemata" and Abercrombie's "John's Waltz" are post-bop masterpieces. Their one collaboration seems to be a joint improvisation, with Abercrombie on guitar synthesizer. This is an excellent all around release. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Sweet and Lovely 5:01
Gus Arnheim / Jules LeMare (Chas. N. Daniels) / Harry Tobias
2     Actual Sighs 6:03
Andy LaVerne
3     John's Waltz 4:48
John Abercrombie
4     All the Things You Are 5:19
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
5     Among Tall Trees 5:24
Andy LaVerne
6     Natural Living 8:20
Andy LaVerne
7     Archetypal Schemata 4:13
Andy LaVerne
8     Magnetic Flux 4:03
John Abercrombie / Andy LaVerne
9     Labour Day 5:19
John Abercrombie
10     When You Wish upon a Star 7:32
Leigh Harline / Ned Washington
11     Stella by Starlight 7:11
Ned Washington / Victor Young
12     Suzy's World 7:30
Andy LaVerne
Credits :
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Guitar-synthesizer] – John Abercrombie
Piano – Andy LaVerne