City Tone Records
What's Going On?
About This Album
Over two decades, guitarist Tom Dempsey and bassist Tim Ferguson have played duets with no rhythm section, interpreting standards and playing original mainstream contemporary jazz. This long overdue project is a fine example of how their empathy and good feeling among friends translates into a compact, viable, and accessible sound that most audiences should enjoy. Often Ferguson takes the lead melody line, while Dempsey comps. The guitarist is also occasionally experimenting with improvised sounds, whether tinkling and scraping below the bridge of his instrument, or extrapolating on extended ringing chordal harmonics. Their experience in truly playing together shows hundredfold. There are several modal originals like the interpretation of the Hank Jones composition "Interface," the outstanding waltz "As Spring Begins," perfectly evocative of that season, and the Latin-flavored "Julie's Tabouleh." Unison melodies are played frequently as on "Tabouleh" or the Thad Jones hard bopper "Three in One." The sweetest sounds are displayed during the reverent "Deep River" and Billy Strayhorn's "Isfahan." The most spirited piece is Dempsey's original hard bop number "Tandem," brimming with ideas and energy. Mal Waldron's "Soul Eyes" brings Ferguson's sighing bowed bass to the fore, while he takes the lead as well on a typical but heartfelt rendition of "Stardust." There's much to like about this fine effort, which should yield beaucoup enjoyment for mavens of the traditional and cooler aspects of jazz. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
Track List (try tracks 1,4,5,6,7,10,11 and 12)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.