Traveling frequently as a musician occasionally produces serendipitous meetings. While in Italy in the fall of 1998 I Had the Good fortune to be introduced to Claudio Riggio through a mutual friend. We spoke briefly, and as I left Claudio gave me one of his CDs (an earlier Symphonia release). Listening to his music later, I was impressed with his compositional sensibilities (combining Bach and other classical composers with his own perspective), and his original voice as an improviser. In the winter of 1999 I was in Pisa with friends, and Claudio offered his hospitality. This time we played together, and both of us felt that our very different voices on the guitar blended together in solo intriguing and unusual ways. Three months later I was again in Pisa. This time Claudio arranged a few concerts for us and a demo recording. The concerts went well, and we produced enough music at two sessions for this CD.
A few words are in order about the recording. Half of this music (Claudio's wonderful originals) was new to me, and the other half were played by Claudio for the first time. We tried to create a relaxed atmosphere and a chemistry and dialogue that allowed each of us enough space. This was a rare and sublime experience for me. - John Stowell
Tracks
1. Peau douce (Steve Swallow)
2. Caminhos cruzados (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
3. The white note (Claudio Riggio)
4. All the things you are (Hammerstein/Kern)
5. Scene (Tom Harrell)
6. Impressioni su Alice in wonderland (Fain-Hilliard)
7. Ma petite amie (Claudio Riggio)
8. Cascade (Azumuth)
9. Sail away (Tom Harrell)
JOHN STOWELL electric guitar
CLAUDIO RIGGIO acoustic guitar
Recorded 1999, Pugnano, Pisa
SYMPHONIA SYB 99903 Italy