Two by Four

Two by Four, released in 1989 by the EmArcy label, is a collection of duets by jazz acoustic bassist Marc Johnson. His duet partners include vibraphonist Gary Burton and harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans.

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Penguin Guide to Jazz[2]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz[3]

For other uses, see 2x4.
Two by Four
Studio album by
Marc Johnson
Released1989
RecordedApril 17–18, 1989
StudioClinton Recording Studio, New York.
GenrePost-Bop Jazz
Length53:01
LabelVerve/EmArcy (January 19, 1991) 842 233-2
ProducerKiyoshi "Boxman" Koyama
Marc Johnson chronology
Second Sight
(1987)		 Two by Four
(1989)		 Right Brain Patrol
(1991)

Review

This album is a series of duets led by Marc Johnson, who served with distinction as the bassist in Bill Evans' last trio. Here Two By Four Harmonica player extraordinaire Toots Thielemans joins Johnson for a beautifully strutting take of "Killer Joe," afollowed by an amazingly soft and subtle take of "Spartacus Love Theme" by Alex North, a favorite of Evans that Johnson never got the opportunity to play with him. Two By Four song «Goodbye Porkpie Hat» is done with a very effectfull slow arrangement. Vibraphonist Gary Burton also appears on three tracks, opened by «Monk's Dream», and with a dreamy take of the melancholy «Gary's Theme» and gorgeous version of Evans' «Time Remembered». Pianist Makoto Ozone also appears on three duets, proving to be suitable choice as well, giving an inspired version of Johnsons rather challenging «Miss Teri», Ozone is also up to the rapid-fire, uptempo post-bop «One Finger Snap» by Herbie Hancock. Singer Lucy Crane is the widow of Fred Crane, an early teacher and mentor of Johnson, and probably not familiar to the jazz audience, as this was the major label debut. She provides spirited vocals on both «Beautyful Love» and «Ain't Misbehaven'». Two By Four was one of the best album releases in 1989.[1]

Reception

The Allmusic review by Ken Dryden awarded the album 4½ stars stating "This series of duets featuring bassist Marc Johnson with different guests could be considered a tribute to Bill Evans, because it includes such a number of songs associated with the late pianist (though only one is an Evans composition)".[1]

Track listing
  1. Killer Joe (4:40) (B. Golson)
  2. Spartacus – Love Theme (3:40) (A. North)
  3. Dinner For One Please, James (6:40) (M. Carr)
  4. One Finger Snap (4:17) (H. Hancock)
  5. Miss Teri (5:58) (M. Johnson)
  6. Monk's Dream (3:51) (T. Monk)
  7. Gary's Theme (6:39) (G. McFarland)
  8. Beautyful Love (3:16) (H. Gillespie/V. Young/W. King/E.V. Alstyne)
  9. Ain't Misbehaven' (2:57) (F. Waller/Harry Brooks)
  10. Time Remembered (5:24) (B. Evans)
  11. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (5:05) (C. Mingus)

Personnel

Notes
  • April 17 & 18, 1989 at Cinton Recording Studio, New York

References
  1. Dryden, Ken. "Marc Johnson 2 X 4 Review". Allmusic.com. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
  2. Hull, Tom. "Penguin Guide to Jazz Diffs: 4th vs. 5th Editions". Tom Hull. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  3. Larkin, Colin (2004). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz. Virgin. p. 465. ISBN 9781852271831. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
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