Niels Pedersen | Double Bass

AllMusic Review by Ken Dryden

Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen was quite comfortable in extending an invitation to Sam Jones for this unusual recording date, which features the two bassists, along with guitarist Philip Catherine (who sticks to playing acoustic) and drummer Billy Higgins, with Albert "Tootie" Heath's tambourine added on two tracks. Both bassists had played with the formidable pianist Oscar Peterson, so they not only knew something about playing rhythm but were very potent soloists to boot. Pedersen's singing tone contrasts with the darker sound of Jones, though the players nimbly shift roles throughout the sessions. Among the highlights is a bright, breezy setting of John Coltrane's "Giant Steps," Jones' lush ballad "Miss Morgan," and a dramatic take of "Yesterdays." This fun date was evidently the only time Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Sam Jones had the opportunity to work together, but they made the most of it.

Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen - bass Sam Jones bass Philip Catherine guitar Billy Higgins drums Albert Heath percussion (tr.2,4,8,9).



01.Falling In Love With Love (L.Hart/R.Rodgers)...(00:00) 02.A Notion (Albert "Tootie" Heath)...(06:33) 03.Giant Steps (John Coltrane)...(12:10) 04.I Fall In Love Too Easily (S.Cahn/J.Styne)...(15:55) 05.Miss Morgan (Sam Jones)...(22:05) 06.Au Privave (Charlie Parker)...(28:27) 07.Yesterdays (O.Harbach/J.Kern)...(34:15) 08.Little Train (Heitor Villa-Lobos)...(39:18).


Recorded:February 15 & 16, 1976
Label: SteepleChase – SCS 1055 Design [Cover] – Per Grunnet Liner Notes – Jorgen Frigard Photography By – Lissa Winther Producer – Nils Winther Recorded By – Emile Elsen