TRACKLIST
Seven Virtuoso Etudes & Improvisations
1. Embraceable You - 05:10
2. Fascinating Rhythm - 04:55
3. Oh, Lady Be Good - 05:46
4. The Man I Love - 06:02
5. Liza (All The Clouds ll Roll Away) - 07:02
6. Somebody Loves Me - 05:28
7. I Got Rhythm - 05:54
Indiana Variations
8. Back Home Again In Indiana - 02:02
9. Ready Or Not - 00:59
10. Escape From The Woojies - 01:23
11. Big Finish - 01:13
Django
12. Django - 06:03
Three Raps For Two Pianos
13. Moderato - 02:16
14. Andante - 02:10
15. Alegro - 03:17

This CD may serve as an introduction for many jazz fans to Turkish pianist Meral Guneyman, who is predominately a classical player with an affinity for jazz. She shares the spotlight with Dick Hyman, an accomplished performer in both jazz and classical music, with a long stretch of his career working in studios on all kinds of musical projects. The duo piano arrangements of George Gershwin s works were transcribed by classical pianist Earl Wild, with Hyman adding the improvised sections. Most of the remaining tracks were penned by Hyman, including four variations of (Back Home Again In) Indiana and a three movement suite Three Raps for Two Pianos. Hyman s dramatic setting of John Lewis Django would have pleased its composer. The lack of improvised interaction between Guneyman and Hyman is a bit frustrating, but given Hyman s extensive experience playing duo performances with other jazz pianists, it would be hard to expect Guneyman to take as many chances. Adding a few more well known jazz compositions might have also loosened things up a bit, but in any case, this is still an enjoyable meeting.