Interview Bill Frisell long enough and you’ll probably hear about Dale Bruning, the Colorado-based guitarist from whom he learned his craft as a teenager. (It’s worth noting that Bruning also transformed his pupil’s artistic life by introducing him-literally and metaphorically-to Jim Hall.) The double-disc Just Between Us reunites Bruning with his star student (and thoughtful bassist Michael Moore) for over two hours of cool-tempered interplay recorded live in Denver last March. For guitar heads who place good taste and empathy above chops, this set is a nonchalant joy, and it’s easy to hear where Frisell got his unselfish collaborative nature and soul-deep melodic sense. The program, including Frisell favorites (Monk’s “Misterioso”), comely standards (“My One and Only Love”), some original material and a few surprises (“Deep Dead Blue,” a Frisell/Elvis Costello effort), is as tactfully curated as the playing.
The Dale Bruning Trio : Just Between Us
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