Nat Janoff and Jake Schwartz Live

An album of excellent, vibrant playing by two well-matched guitarists, exhibiting understanding of each other's style, providing mutual comping support and lots of strong soloing. Schwartz (Ovation-type steel strung guitar, right channel) seems to be the hotter headed of the two, more likely to fire off a rapid flurry, while Janoff (Classical-style nylon strings, left channel) has a cool, lyrical nylon tone. However, there seems to be a Zen-like counterbalance with their writing styles. Janoff's is more acute, lean and driving, whereas Schwartz is melodic, full-bottomed and employs swinging rhythms.

The repertoire has five of their own compositions sandwiched between Chick Corea's ever-popular Spain, Al Di Meola's fiery Mediterranean Sundance and Cannonball Adderley's huge 1966 hit, Zawinul's Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. This is an exciting version of Mediterranean Sundance, the two guitar styles compliment each other to form pockets of contrasting dynamic, the passion, grace, and fire of Di Meola's original duet with Paco de Lucia and the subsequent Guitar Trio rendition along with John McLaughlin. The parallels with the Guitar Trio do not end there. Whilst some of the material is more relaxed than that found on the three Guitar Trio albums, Schwartz and Janoff's fast and furious playing is very similar throughout. As for crowd pleasers, their cover of Mercy, Mercy, Mercy is pure joy, fun and free, and well received by the audience.

The fuzzy tones of the steel strung guitar sometimes dominate the mix, and whilst such a guitar is naturally the louder, it should not be difficult, even in a live setting, to get the balance correct. But don't let this put you off, a quick fiddle with your balance knob is all that is needed. Live acoustic guitar and hot solos your bag? Then this is the one for you.