Review: Blake & Carlberg conduct jazz keyboard conversation

On the album “Gray Moon,” Ran Blake and Frank Carlberg tickle the ol’ 176, conducting a compelling keyboard conversation in the language of jazz, as broadly defined

Ran Blake and Frank Carlberg “Gray Moon” (Red Piano Records)

Here’s one for pianos lovers: On “Gray Moon,” Ran Blake and Frank Carlberg tickle the ol’ 176, conducting a compelling keyboard conversation in the language of jazz, as broadly defined.

The 16 tunes were recorded in a single afternoon in Boston’s Jordan Hall, creating the vibe of a Sunday recital, and the way Blake (in the right channel) and Carlberg (left channel) complement each other is fascinating. They can swing, but the tempos tend toward slow and the volume is often pianissimo, no pun intended.

There are moments of minimalism, including occasions when Blake and Carlberg are each playing only one note at a time. Even with two pianos, silence is an important element in their captivating sound.

source: abcnews.go.com