NIELS HENNING ØRSTED PEDERSEN & PHILIP CATHERINE - The Viking (1983)

After countless sessions for Norman Granz's Pablo label as a sideman (including with Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass), bassist Niels Pedersen finally had an opportunity to lead his own Pablo date in 1983. The set of duets with guitarist Philip Catherine (which has not yet been reissued on CD) finds Pedersen engaging in close interplay with Catherine, whose sound sometimes recalls Django Reinhardt, although he has an improvising approach of his own. The music is split between standards, including "My Funny Valentine,""Nuages," and "I Fall In Love Too Easily," and inventive originals. A thought-provoking and well-played set of subtle and lyrical music.  -  Scott Yanow



Tracks
1. The Puzzle
2. Marie
3. Nuages
4. September
5. Little Train Of The Caipria
6. My Funny Valentine
7. Medley: (a) Air Power (b) Dancing Girls
8. Stella By Starlight
9. I Fall In Love To Easily

NIELS HENNIMNG ØRSTED PEDERSEN  bass
PHILIP CATHERINE  guitar

Recorded at Studio RCA in New York May, 23 1983
Pablo Records CD 2310-894