As of 1998, when this CD was released, Scott Hamilton had recorded over 30 albums as a leader for Concord. Although all are quite worthwhile, the swing tenor's consistency and unchanged style since the 1970s have resulted in a certain sameness and predictability to his recordings. This release, however, definitely stands apart from the crowd, for it is a set of tenor/guitar duets that Hamilton performs with Bucky Pizzarelli. A tribute to Zoot Sims (one of Hamilton's early influences), this is a very successful outing. Pizzarelli's mastery of the seven-string guitar allows him to play basslines behind solos, so one never misses the other instruments. Although the duo performs a variety of standards, there are also some lesser-known pieces among the highlights including the title cut, Al Cohn's "Two Funky People," the Sims/Cohn collaboration "Morning Fun," and the obscure "In the Middle of a Kiss." Both Hamilton and Pizzarelli sound inspired in this format, stretching themselves while always swinging. Pizz had recorded a duo album with Sims back in 1973, and Zoot also cut a full set with guitarist Joe Pass a couple years later. This excellent, slightly offbeat outing is on the same level as those two and is highly recommended to fans of swinging mainstream jazz.
by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1
It Had to Be You 7:37
Isham Jones / Gus Kahn
2
Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You 5:53
Andy Razaf / Don Redman
3
The Red Door 4:57
Gerry Mulligan / Zoot Sims
4
Dream of You 5:24
Jimmie Lunceford / Michael Morales / Sy Oliver
5
Jitterbug Waltz 5:43
Richard Maltby, Jr. / Fats Waller
6
Two Funky People 5:21
Al Cohn
7
Just You, Just Me 5:02
Jesse Greer / Raymond Klages
8
In the Middle of a Kiss 5:28
Sam Coslow
9
Morning Fun 4:17
Al Cohn / Zoot Sims
10
It's All Right With Me 7:18
Cole Porter
Credits
Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli
Tenor Saxophone – Scott Hamilton
SCOTT HAMILTON & BUCKY PIZZARELLI - Red Door : Remember Zoot Sims
[1998] Concord / APE (tracks+.cue), lossless
O Púbis da Rosa
