A trio album that displays guitarist
Jim Hall's absolute refusal to grow old,
Something Special is a treat to listen to. Accompanied by pianist/organist
Larry Goldings, who sticks to piano for the recording, and bassist
Steve LaSpina, the music on
Something Special is often introspective, sometimes jovial, but always adventurous. A few of the album's best moments are the ones in which the trio is pared down. "Deep in a Dream," tperformed as a solo piece by
Hall, is soft and lush.
Goldings' "Up for Air" is played as a duet by the pianist and guitarist, and their treatment of it is light and energetic, taking advantage of the absence of a bass, rather than trying to compensate for it.
Pat Metheny, a longtime public admirer of
Hall, gets a return nod of admiration on
Hall's "Down from Antigua," which sounds very much in the
Metheny tradition of writing. On "Steps," the trio delves into some fairly gentle "free" playing. An essential purchase for
Hall fans. ~ Dan Cross