Jim Hall's 'Live!' is a captivating jazz album, recorded in June 1975 at the Bourbon Street jazz club in Toronto, Canada. This exceptional live recording features Jim Hall on guitar, accompanied by Don Thompson on bass and Terry Clarke on drums. The trio's performance is nothing short of mesmerising, with the interplay between the three musicians being truly wondrous at times.
Originally released on the Horizon label, 'Live!' has been widely acclaimed, with Allmusic awarding it 4 stars. The album's five tracks, including 'Angel Eyes', 'Round Midnight', and 'The Way You Look Tonight', showcase Jim Hall's sensitive and versatile guitar playing, which reflects the influences of Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian.
With a duration of 41 minutes, 'Live!' is a masterclass in cool jazz, featuring blues-tinged solos and carefully crafted statements. The quality of the live recording is excellent, making it feel like you're right there in the audience at Bourbon Street. Jim Hall's extensive body of work is renowned, but 'Live!' stands out as a legendary recording, and for good reason. It's a must-listen for fans of jazz and guitar music, and a testament to Jim Hall's status as a dynamic jazz contributor.