None but the Lonely Heart, Charlie Haden and Chris Anderson, NAIM records:

None but the Lonely Heart is a harmonic convergence, of sorts, between Anderson and bassist Charlie Haden (who is similarly recognized for a distinctive, harmonically driven approach that eschews “chops” and flash). On this set of hauntingly beautiful ballads, the pianist tames his wanderlust slightly, keenly aware of Haden’s trenchant bass line and its undulating pulse. Nevertheless, he does venture wherever the conduit between should and fingertips takes him. At times, particularly in the duo’s reading of “the Night We Called It a Day,” Haden plays catch-up to Anderson’s soloistic unpredictability; he’s at a loss where the pianist will go— and when. In slightly more up-tempo performances, such as “Body and Soul,” Haden emerges from merely supplying a Spartan pulse to engaging Anderson’s hidden ability to swing, via a walking bass line. Overall, sonic quality is, unfortunately, less than satisfactory; Anderson’s piano sound bounces around the room, and Haden’s normally tight and focused bass is muddy. But ultimately, Anderson and Haden succeed in capturing something beautiful, something only harmonically adventurous romantics are capable of.

Mike Bieber