Joe Pass with Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen - Northsea Nights

As he proved beyond all doubt on countless solo recordings, guitar master Joe Pass needs no help with rhythmic accompaniment: his solo work deftly interweaves single-note leads, chords, and walking bass lines. On this 1979 live duet date, he receives help anyway, from the veteran bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (NHOP). NHOP's presence gives Pass more improvisational options, and the bop guitarist often takes advantage of these possibilities, whether through quiet, delicately emotive passages on "How Deep Is the Ocean?" or through fantastic flurries on "Stella by Starlight." Of course, Pass is not the only one here who showcases absolutely stunning technique. Since much of Pass's discography consists of solo records, this duet set is a welcome addition to the CD format and offers listeners an opportunity to hear the virtuoso pushed gently outside of his normal thought patterns, which seemed limitless to begin with. --Marc Greilsamer Amazon.com

Something to treasure.

This live recording from 1979 by Pass and NHOP is a wonderful complement to their maje3stic album "Chops" which was recorded a year earlier.
Once again the duo demonstrate their mutual empathy and artistry.I do not know how many of us would argue with Norman Granz s claim that "...their playing was jazz in its highest state;pure,original improvisation,without recourse to comfortable phrases or cliches" but for me the music lives and breathes and conveys the feeling of spontaneous creation.
Of their music on both albums,the piece which makes the strongest impression on me is their exploration of "Round Midnight".Their introspective and acutely sensitive playing captures the essence of this classic song.
It is regretable that Pass and NHOP recorded so little of their duo music but what they did commit to disc is something to treasure. November 30, 2008

Even Better than "Chops"

This is a live recording of the great Joe Pass with the incomparable Niels Pederson. I always loved "Chops"---the studio recording which pairs these two---but "Northsea Lights" has them playing on a whole different plane. As producer Norman Granz says in the album notes, they take chances which pay off considerably. Highly recommended. May 24, 2007

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