by Ken Dryden
Michel Petrucciani always excelled in front of a live audience, and this 1992 concert with his father Tony accompanying him on guitar is no exception, though it's a shame it wasn't released until 2001, some two years after the pianist's death. An adventurous exploration of &Summertime& serves as a strong opener, followed by the playful waltz &Sometime Ago.& The complex introduction to &All the Things You Are& and well disguised path into &My Funny Valentine& are by themselves worth the price of the CD. Michel gets a bit heavy-handed during parts of &Someday My Prince Will Come,& overwhelming his partner's soft chords. There are solo features, too: Tony Petrucciani tackles Django Reinhardt's lovely ballad &Nuages& with finesse; while Michel is no doubt inspired by Bill Evans' many recordings of Miles Davis' &Nardis,& he finds his own path during a dramatic improvisation. The sign off by the duo includes a rapid-fire take of &Billie's Bounce& and a gently swinging version of &Satin Doll.& Recommended.