Joe Pass and Zoot Sims - Blues For 2

180-gram vinyl

Mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab from the original analog master tape

Pressed at Quality Record Pressings

Housed in a Stoughton Printing tip-on jacket

"Guitarist Joe Pass was unsure if Blues for 2, a duet recording with tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims, would work. 'It would be a little unusual for me, since I do not come from the 4-to-a-bar rhythm guitar school.' Though he doesn't storm the bar like Freddie Green, Pass's comping and solos are so elegant and effortless that he makes it sound easy. As Pass swoops, supports, and soars, Sims follows suit, the two intertwining like climbers on some rockface, like vertical Twister." — "Revinylized" Ken Micallef, Stereophile, October 2025   

 "To quote Pass, 'guitar and tenor saxophone have always been a good combination. I think that being in the same register it's a nice blend, and a mellow sound.' Indeed, and that's exemplified by the chemistry between these two jazz legends. The easy-going warm tone of Sims' sax and luxurious chord sound of Pass's guitar. The two musicians are in the room and Pass' guitar -especially with that beguiling-sounding Analog Relax EX500 cartridge - has never sounded better. Everything just flows effortlessly, and I love their renditions of standards such as 'Dindi' and 'Pennies from Heaven.'" — Myles B. Astor, 2025 Positive Feedback Writer's Choice Awards. Read the entire review here.

Joe Pass observed in his notes for this album that when he was a young man he determined that his ideal tenor saxophone companion would have a rich tone, harmonic wisdom, respect of the melody, and the will to swing. That figures; Pass was describing his own qualities, and in 1982 when the time came for the guitarist and Zoot Sims to record as a duo, it became clear after about six bars that this was a perfect artistic match.

Pass was a supremely natural player whose solos swung from the first note. Sims was also in his later years a master of lyrical expression in ballads. His lyricism here, notably in "Remember," is complemented by his relaxed urgency in the faster pieces. Pass accompanies Sims beautifully and solos with his customary ingenuity.

Mastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab from the original analog master tape. Pressed at Quality Record Pressings for superior sound quality, and housed in a Stoughton Printing tip-on single pocket jacket.

 

 

 

 

Side 1

1. Blues For 2

2. Dindi

3. Pennies From Heaven

4. Poor Butterfly

Side B

1. (Whad Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue

2. I Hadn't Anyone Till You

3. Takeoff

4. Remember

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