Closeness (Duets)

AMG Review of Closeness (Duets)

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

In 1976, bassist Charlie Haden recorded eight duets with musicians whom he admired; the results were originally released on two Horizon LPs as Closeness. In 1988, A&M reissued all of the music on a pair of CDs, titled Closeness" Duets. For this release, Haden is teamed with pianist Keith Jarrett, plays a memorable "O.C." with altoist Ornette Coleman, interprets a moody piece with harpist Alice Coltrane, and performs the highly political "For a Free Portugal" (which also utilizes excerpts from a record of Angolan music) with percussionist Paul Motian. Recommended, particularly due to the Ornette and Jarrett collaborations.