Duets

Album Description

Carla Bley, the renowned composer, bandleader, and keyboardist, teams up with bassist Steve Swallow for an intimate and captivating exploration of free jazz and jazz on their 1988 album "Duets." This album, released on November 7, 1988, via the Watt label, is a testament to the deep musical connection and chemistry between Bley and Swallow, marking their third duet recording.

"Duets" is a collection of nine tracks, each offering a unique blend of improvisation and composition. The album opens with "Baby Baby," setting the tone for the eclectic mix of styles that follow. Standout tracks like "Walking Batteriewoman" and "Romantic Notions # 3" showcase Bley's distinctive piano playing and Swallow's masterful bass lines, creating a dynamic and engaging listening experience. The album's duration of 54 minutes ensures that each track has room to breathe, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in the music.

This album is a product of extensive touring and performing together, with Bley and Swallow having performed duet concerts across Europe, the United States, South America, and Japan in the lead-up to its release. The album's production, overseen by Bley and Swallow themselves with general coordination by Michael Mantler, reflects their collaborative spirit and shared artistic vision. Despite some reviews suggesting a slight departure from their usual style, "Duets" remains a compelling addition to the discographies of both artists, offering a fresh perspective on their collaborative work.

November 7, 1988

℗ 1988 WATT Works Inc./ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

About Carla Bley

Carla Bley, a titan of jazz composition and performance, left an indelible mark on the genre with her innovative and emotionally resonant work. Born in America, Bley was a pivotal figure in the free jazz movement of the 1960s, known for her bold avant-garde compositions and her ability to create music that was both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving. Her magnum opus, the jazz opera "Escalator over the Hill," showcased her unique vision and storytelling prowess. Throughout her career, Bley's compositions were performed by a who's who of jazz greats, including Gary Burton, John Scofield, and her ex-husband Paul Bley. A pioneer in independent record labels, Bley recorded over two dozen albums between 1966 and 2019, continually pushing the boundaries of jazz. Her Trio, active for over two decades, was her primary vehicle for musical expression in her later years. Bley's wit and individualism were as legendary as her music, earning her the nickname "Countess Bleysie" among fellow musicians. Her passing in 2023 marked the end of an era, but her influential body of work continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.