Antonio Forcione & Charlie Haden - Heartplay
Heartplay is a subtle and sublime collaboration between Antonio and Charlie Haden, playing a collection of their own compositions, as well as a sparkling track called Child's Play by Fred Hersch.

'These duets with the great American jazz bassist Charlie Haden feature reflective but restlessly mobile originals by both players, plus pianist Fred Hersch's lovely Child Song. ... It's well up with the leaders in Haden's illustrious collection of duo encounters.'
The Guardian - 3 November 2006

There are passages in this beautifully recorded album when Haden's bass and Forcione's guitar sound like one enormous acoustic instrument, so closely do their ideas echo one another. The first thing you notice is the delicacy of touch, in a piece like the impressionistic 'Snow', where notes and sparse chords hang suspended in stillness. Only then does the strength and virtuosity of their playing make its impact. Haden is a jazz hero from way back, but Forcione is still not as well known as he deserves to be. His distinctive combination of jazz with Spanish and other European influences is always full of surprises.
Dave Gelly - The Observer

CHARLIE HADEN - ANTONIO FORCIONE
Heartplay ****
Haden, who can say a lot without making the double bass sound like a guitar, forges a productive partnership with Forcione, an exceptional and individual acoustic guitarist, in a series of delicate yet robust duets of great intimacy and charm. The tonal contrast works well, and they make beautifully judged use of it to heighten the impact of their dialogue. The material, originals by Haden and Forcione, with Fred Hersch's Child's Play added, provides opportunities to explore a wide range of expression, from the flamenco echoes of Haden's La Pasionaria and the melancholy beauty of his Silence to the expressionism of Forcione's Snow and Nocturne and the lyrical romanticism of his Anna. And through the dramatic shifts of Haden's For Turiya the pair sustain the flow and interest so effectively that the 11-minute improvisation passes in a flash. Delightful.
Ray Comiskey - Irish Times

This is just so darn tasteful that if it weren’t also beautifully played, written and recorded I’d hate it! Haden has always been the ultimate romantic ‘Romantic’ – his heart truly worn on his sleeve. His is an optimism about what human beings could be given half the chance. I lean towards a radical pessimism myself but still find it a relief to bask in Haden’s warm vision very now and again. It helps that he’s a consummate duo player, of course. and here that he’s partnered by one of the best acoustic guitarists around. When he and Forcione play Haden’s ‘La Pasionaria’ or ‘Silence’ I truly believe a better world is just around the corner and their version of Fred Hersch’s ‘Child’s Song’ is a joyous little dance for the day in the citadel falls. Not that Forcione is any slouch when it comes to writing tunes – both ‘Anna’ and ‘If…’ suggest romantic encounters of their own. And ‘Snow’ has something of Stanley Myers’ ‘Cavatina’ about it. They close with an 11-minute version of Haden’s ‘For Turiya’. It’s everything a duet should be – the expression of a perfect unity.
Duncan Heining - Jazzwise

1. Anna (Forcione)  [listen]
2. If... (Forcione) 
3. La Pasionaria (Haden)  [listen]
4. Snow (Forcione) 
5. Silence (Haden)
6. Child's Song (Fred Hersch)
7. Nocturne (Forcione) 
8. For Turiya (Haden) [listen]
 
Charlie Haden - double bass
Antonio Forcione - guitar

Recorded at: The Californian Institute of the Arts on 26 - 28 June 2006.
Recorded by Ken Christianson, Pro Musica, Chicago

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Website: www.antonioforcione.com
See also: Charlie Haden 'Private Collection' CD