Thursday, September 20, 2018

Jonathan Kreisberg & Nelson Veras

Jonathan Kreisberg & Nelson Veras
KREISBERG meets VERAS
New For Now

This is a marvelous collection of duets between electric guitarist Kreisberg and Veras who plays a nylon string acoustic guitar. One can marvel at the technical mastery of each as well as their own lyrical attacks, but the interplay of each, where one might take the lead while the other comps, is also worthy of appreciation. The album opens with three originals the Kreisberg penned, and delight whether listening to Veras' chords backing Kreisberg's deft lead runs or Kreisberg lightly placing chords as Veras dazzles. Then there is the charm of "Every Person is a Story" with Veras' almost harp-like picking before Kriesberg's near bell-like single note runs.

Monk's "Bye-Ya" seems amenable to a number of approaches and the two here display as they playfully take the twists and turns of Monk's tune. Veras opens an intriguing version of Milton Nascimento's "Milagre Dos Peixes," with his tender playing. The two ably convey the poignancy of Charles Mingus' musical eulogy for Lester Young, "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," with Kreisberg carefully laying out the theme along with embellishments and improvisation.

Similar pleasure is provided to renditions of lesser-known songs by Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter where the two delight listeners with the nuanced playing, their well-conceived solos, and accompaniment. These superb duets result in a mellifluous and exquisite recording. For more information, check out http://www.jonathankreisberg.com/kreisberg-meets-veras/.

I received a download to review from a publicist. Here the two are seen and heard performing "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat."


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