When Larry Met Harry

Tenor saxophonist Harry Allen and pianist Larry Goldings teamed up in the studio on this 12 track collection from the Cafe Society label. While they have played on each other's dates, this is their first full length collaboration. Both men are dedicated in a similar manner to paying homage to swing era melodies and mainstream jazz of the 40s and 50s. For this date, the duo bring several romantic themed originals into the musical fold, one from Allen "I Can See Forever," and eight by Goldings including a re-visit of "Slo Boat," which first appeared on his Whatever It Takes CD. The mood is relaxed yet not moribund. Case in point, Goldings' composition "Benny's Dream," with strings arranged by Vince Mendoza,is heartfelt but doesn't succumb to weepy sentimentalism. As for the three covers, Goldings and Allen avoid rehashing the same old standards with breezy treatments on "Morning has Broken," the Edith Piaf associated "Sous Le Ciel De Paris," and the Bacharach & David classic "The Look of Love." Allen and Goldings don't break new ground with this recording, rather, they continue to showcase their combined enduring love for ballads. Fans of laid back, straight ahead jazz should check this out.