Recorded at New York’s legendary Village Vanguard club during a multi-night stand that lasted from April 30 to May 2, 2004, Magic Meeting finds guitarist Jim Hall teamed up with bassist Scott Colley and drummer Lewis Nash – a magic meeting indeed. It also finds him operating in more experimental tonal territory than usual, his dark and warm tone displaced by aggressive chorusing (on “Bent Blue” and also to some degree on “Blackwell’s Message”) “Canto Naruda” is a lovely Latin excursion, while his contemplative take on “Body and Soul” demonstrates his unparalleled ability to take a familiar tune and make it his own.

– Rick Anderson