Although Pat Metheny is known as a pioneer of two contemporary jazz styles — jazz fusion and the ECM sound — anyone who has spent a lot of time listening to jazz guitar will recognize his debt to Jim Hall, who came to prominence during the “cool” era and subsequently gently expanded jazz’s stylistic boundaries. Although both of them made very different kinds of music throughout their careers, they were in many ways an obvious and a natural match. On this duo album they play a mix of standards, originals, and duo improvisations in a variety of styles, and always sound like they’re smiling at each other.

– Rick Anderson