Slide Show

When two geniuses meet it always results in superb music. This, of course, is no exception. The discourse between the two of them is exquisite and the rhythmic variety and execution holds ones attention throughout the disc.

The collaboration between Gary Burton and Ralph Towner is nothing less than exceptional. It lasted two albums, "Slide Show" and "Match Book" so I decided to review them together. Infact the music in the two albums can form a sort of a unique opera in a sense. If you love one, you can't do nothing but love the other. I think that Gary's vibe added something precious to Ralph's music and integrated very well with that. A sort of a richer rhythmic variety, a more complex music in the end, but still very enjoyable. It's the main thing to me. I have to say that I don't like "The donkey jamboree" from Slide Show. I have to say this. It is a composition that personally I find irritating. With that carrebean rhythmn and that childish melodies. It goes in the vein o St Thomas from Sonny Rollins, ... but if I can tolerate St Thomas, I can't with this donkey. Sorry. But it's one tune in two albums, I can live with that. I consider that an occasional error, a distraction in an opera very coherent and elegant generally speaking. =)) One simple consideration that one can make is that these two together seem a full orchestra because their counterpoint is phenomenal so they managed to sound a lot more than two people playing. In terms of tones, the two instruments, the acoustic guitar and the vibes, blend very well together in the hands of these two masters. The music is not "simple" as one may suppose: it is very deep rhytmically, melodically and armonically in the classical Ralph Towner's way. To me it's a very interesting and refreshing listening.

Heard Donkey Jamboree & Ralph's buzzing guitar on radio once & just had to get this. Simultaneously busy recording & very subdued: hard to believe it's just two instruments playing. Blue & Green & Innocenti are very good too.I guess it'd be easy to toss this off as "new age," but since I was buying ECM recordings long before I heard the term, I just don't get it. This CD also reminds me that I'm forever half a league. I have this but not Matchbook; I have Five Years Later (old LP) but not Sargasso Sea. Maybe I should ask for an increase in my allowance?

Sometimes you need a music that enhance your state of mind, for instance when you read a good book ...not a Best Seller!. This is it. The music here will bring you a sense of plenitude, listen to track #5. I recomend not to listen to this album every day, but it's nice to listen it one a month because this is not easy listening music.

I have always loved this combination. I was able to watch them perform this live in a small club. One of the best concerts I have ever attended. These two really seemed to enjoy playing together.