Charlie Haden & Chris Anderson, None But The Lonely Heart

Undoubtedly masterful playing by both Haden and Anderson make None But The Lonely Heart a very special recording. Even more so considering the limited opportunities that we have had of hearing Chris Anderson in action. A couple of solo outings in the early 60's, but then one more solo outing in the late 90's and almost nothing else, mainly through unfortunate bouts of illness, until now.

However, Anderson has not gone unnoticed, at least among inner circles. Most knew that his role as mentor to Herbie Hancock where Anderson's influence can be heard, particularly in Hancock's phrasings, especially on Fat Albert Rotunda. But it's not a funky set we get here, instead the masters concentrate on space and melody that has moments of perfection, but one needs be warned that the introspective meandering pace borders on the side of lounge jazz.

Haden clearly admires Anderson deeply "Chris is risking his life with every chord, that's how much it means to him. He has such a reverence for beauty, he plays like an angel", and this affection is palpable in the interplay between these two greats. Slow, smooth but sensuous. Nice.