As he proved beyond all doubt on countless solo recordings, guitar master Joe Pass needs no help with rhythmic accompaniment: his solo work deftly interweaves single-note leads, chords, and walking bass lines. On this 1979 live duet date, he receives help anyway, from the veteran bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (NHOP). NHOP's presence gives Pass more improvisational options, and the bop guitarist often takes advantage of these possibilities, whether through quiet, delicately emotive passages on "How Deep Is the Ocean?" or through fantastic flurries on "Stella by Starlight." Of course, Pass is not the only one here who showcases absolutely stunning technique. Since much of Pass's discography consists of solo records, this duet set is a welcome addition to the CD format and offers listeners an opportunity to hear the virtuoso pushed gently outside of his normal thought patterns, which seemed limitless to begin with. --Marc Greilsamer