Jim Hall
Something Special

“Something Special” is a perfect album for those who, like me, want to approach Jazz in a conscious and thoughtful way, with the aim of gradually understanding all its various nuances.
This album, in my opinion, is the foundation, the cornerstone upon which all the diverse aspects of contemporary Jazz come to life and beyond. Not understanding this album would be like approaching a track meet without having done the necessary preparation to compete seriously.

In “Something Special” Jim Hall’s guitar appears like an open book telling complex stories, with the simplicity and harmony of a child. His guitar is always gentle, never rushing, and with its muffled sounds, it paints intoxicating atmospheres. The themes of the tracks are simple, and the songs flow one after another, like so many thoughts in a larger discourse. Nothing is left to chance. The notes of his guitar (Gibson??) appear fluid, light, balanced, precise, and are skillfully supported by a constantly moving double bass (Steve La Spina) and a discreet and whispering piano (Larry Goldings).
In each track, we can almost distinguish a general theme that then gives way to the dialogue of the various instruments that indeed whisper, confront, converse, and sometimes argue animatedly, only to naturally reunite in the same final bar, in the same theme that had opened the dance at the beginning.

The first time you hear this album, it may seem that there is something magical behind it. In reality, however, there is no trick, there are no overly complex harmonies, and those whirling and cutting solos that sometimes leave the listener stunned, are missing, making what the album is not actually able to deliver appear.
Here everything is simple and direct.
In the span of ten tracks, various themes are touched upon… there is the carefree reflection of “Something Special,” the calmness of “Somewhere,” the sparkling harmony of “Down from Antigua,” and the overwhelming melancholy of “Three”…
There is also a hint of experimentation with track number four, but Jim Hall is a classic, calm, and linear guitarist, so “Steps” remains an enjoyable digression that simply brings to mind another brilliant guitarist in his own way: Bill Frisell.

The only negative note of this formidable set of emotions is the difficulty in easily obtaining the CD. In any case, every effort and every ounce of energy spent in this direction will be amply rewarded upon listening.
A must-have.