If Trees Could Fly

Album review

If uncomplicated chamber jazz whets your whistle, this beautiful program of bass and cello duets should quench your thirst. Rich melodies, harmonic nuances, and rhythmic subtleties permeate these 11 selections between veteran jazz bassist Johnson and relative newcomer to improv Longsworth. The cellist lays writing claim to the majority of these shared musical statements. "Reve-a-ca" juxtaposes Johnson's cool country plucking with reeling and jigging cello, while "Au clair de la femme" utilizes repeated cello plucks alongside arco bass. "A Blues" sports a groove-based ostinato, "Dancing to the Coffee Machine" is a low-key but popping 4/4 groove with chorded cello acting more as a guitar, and "Spanish Fly" has looser structures, a harder-edged groove, and lower, darker tones from all strings. "Lullabye" goes into more dream-state imagery; "Longworld" features counterpoint; "Her Majesty (The Turtle)" has Longsworth's cello singing out; and "Seulement" has the two in a decidedly pensive, sad mood. Johnson penned "Ton sur ton," which is given two separate, similarly laid-back and bluesy treatments with more plucked cello. Music this honest and direct needs little explanation; it simply is a complete, dynamic, entirely musical statement that keeps its lovely cool from start to finish.

© Michael G. Nastos /TiVo