Judging from their frequent occurrence in his long discography, duet sessions are among Lee Konitz's favorites. These intimate settings have also encouraged some of his best work; for example, his 1967 album The Lee Konitz Duets(Milestone/OJC), on which he performed with several diverse partners in an astonishing range of styles.
At the time of the recording, the pianist was not yet 20 years old, and the marks of his acknowledged greatest influence, Bill Evans, are readily apparent. In fact, the opening track, a searching "I Hear A Rhapsody" readily brings to mind Evans' own duet version with Jim Hall from the classic Undercurrent(United Artists 1962; reissued on Blue Note). Petrucciani is his own man, however, even at this early stage; his lovely solo piece "To Erlinda" begins in a pensive Evans mode, but soon moves through sweeping runs, thunderous left-hand chords, and bluesy asides in a more original style. Konitz, as usual, methodically explores every nook and cranny of each tune's melody, particularly on the 15-minute, abstract takes of "Round About Midnight" and "Lover Man" that form the centerpiece of the album. Although Konitz is often referred to as a "cool-toned" altoist, this is somewhat misleading; he sometimes produces a quite astringent sound, particularly in the upper register, with a bit of blues wail to it. This suits perfectly the pathos inherent in "Lover Man," which offers the best playing on the record.
On this tune, Konitz continually dances in an angular fashion around the melody, never quite actually playing it through, but revealing its every facet by a kind of musical triangulation. Petrucciani alternately prods and follows his elder partner through the tune, here offerring a propulsive, bluesy foundation, there picking up phrases of Konitz's and dancing them around the rhythm. Throughout the album but especially in this setting, the interaction between the musicians is wonderful, as they play with an attentiveness and empathy that is a joy to hear. This is a great find. Highly recommended. - Joshua Weiner
Tracks
01. I Hear A Rhapsody (Jacj Baker / George Fragos / Dick Gaspere
02. To Erlinda (Michal Petricciani)
03. Round About Midnight (Bernie Hanighen / Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams)
04. Lover Man (Jimmy Davis / Roger “Ram” Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman)
05. Ode (Lee Konitz)
06. Lovelee (Lee Konitz / Michel Petriucciani)
LEE KONITZ alto saxophone
MICHEL PETRUCCIANI piano
Recorded at Centre Musical Bosendorfer, Paris on May 25, 1982
Owl Records – OWL 028