Though Italian guitarist and composer Antonio Forcione has been hailed as "the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar" and has been favorably compared to the brilliantly versatile Tommy Emmanuel, his work on this low-key, intimate dual date is for the most part more thoughtful, reflective and subdued. That's not to say it's not inspired. It's simply not designed to overwhelm. His opening compositions "Anna" and "If..." are sweet, soulful, and gracefully romantic, with legendary bassist Charlie Haden providing sensual accompaniment. Haden's three compositions range from the more rhythmic and lively "La Pasionaria" (on which the bassist all but dares Forcione to keep up via an increasingly inventive, swaying melody) to the moody "Silence" and the haunting, experimental "For Turiya," which features lengthy bass soloing that runs from subtle to thunderous. The lone outside tune is Fred Hersch's wistful "Child's Play," on which the tandem play an interesting, point-counterpoint melody-rhythm line. While well played and intricately performed, this type of date, focused more on craft than any sustainable energy, is best enjoyed by die-hard fans of the two artists. - Jonathan Widran
Admirers of unplugged world-guitarists such as Ralph Towner and Egberto Gismonti are natural recruits for the remarkable Antonio Forcione. Born in Italy but living in the UK, Forcione plays delicate jazzy love songs, stamping flamenco, Astor Piazzolla tangos, the blues, and a lot more. He has an untamed aspect that sets him apart from most guitar virtuosos, though; it's expressed in slewing, unresolved runs, gunshot single notes and feverish hammerings on the soundbox (he used to be a percussionist). These duets with the great American jazz bassist Charlie Haden feature reflective but restlessly mobile originals by both players, plus pianist Fred Hersch's lovely Child Song.
Haden's flamenco-influenced La Pasionaria has increasingly impulsive diversions from the theme by Forcione, and a typical Haden solo of slow, humming sounds and stately ascents punctured by dramatic, explosively plucked accents. Forcione's tone-poem Snow is Frisell-like, and Haden's solo on his own Silence confirms how much he's always been able to express without hurrying. It's well up with the leaders in Haden's illustrious collection of duo encounters. - John Fordham
Fans of Charlie Haden's lyrical duet album with guitarist Pat Metheny, Beyond the Missouri Sky (Verve, 1997), will find the bassist's collaboration with guitarist Antonio Forcione, Heartplay not the same, but certainly a not-too-distant cousin. Unlike Metheny, however, who utilizes an array of acoustic and electric instruments, Forcione works strictly with nylon string acoustic guitar here, making Heartplay a less texturally diverse record, but an appealing one nevertheless.
The set of eight tunes is split almost equally between Haden and Forcione originals, with pianist Fred Hersch's "Child's Song the only exception. The overall ambience is one of gentle economy, but largely without the Midwestern flavor of much of Missouri Sky—"Child's Song, again, being an exception. Instead, the songs range from the breezy Mediterranean vibe of Forcione's "Anna to Haden's Spanish-tinged "La Pasionaria, where Forcione's solo intro demonstrates a virtuosity that only highlights his considerable restraint throughout the rest of the disc.
Forcione's tranquil "Snow is an almost painfully beautiful ballad, with an evocative melody that leads perfectly into Haden's enduring "Silence, another song that's all the more powerful and expansive for its use of space and calm. The resonance of both Haden and Forcione's instruments, and the ability to hear literally every note decay into silence, is the result of Naim Audio's audiophile recording techniques, making Heartplay a particularly warm and enveloping listen.
Haden's penchant for the simple line and the elegant pulse is a perfect complement for Forcione, whose use of the subtlest of dynamics creates the most vivid of expressions. The material ranges from under three minutes to over eleven, with through compositions contrasting those used as vehicles for lengthier collective collaboration.
For those who haven't heard of Focione before—despite his having ten other albums out on Naim—Heartplay is a fine introduction. For Haden fans, it's another in a growing collection of duet albums with artists including Metheny, pianist John Taylor and pianist/guitarist Egberto Gismonti that makes a compelling argument for the less-is-more approach. - John Kelman
Tracks
1. Anna (A. Forcione)
2. If... (A. Forcione)
3. La Pasionaria (C. Haden)
4. Snow (A. Forcione)
5. Silence (C. Haden)
6. Child's Song (Fred Hersch)
7. Nocturne (A. Forcione)
8. For Turiya (C. Haden)
CHARLIE HADEN double bass
ANTONIO FORCIONE guitar
Recorded at The California Institute of The Arts on June 26-28, 2006
Naim Label - naimcd098