A Bridge Between

Carbe, Durand and Jim Stubblefield are co-founders of the world guitar group Incendio. This second CD from guitarists Liza Carbe and Jean-Pierre Durand presents a mix of covers and originals from the duo’s concert work offering a range of styles and sounds. Carbe’s classical and fingerstyle rhythm work provide the foundation for Durand’s bluesy leads. These are finely polished presentation of wonderful songs. 

The album opens with the joyous title track “A Bridge Between.” The duo demonstrates the perfect timing and coordination of a long-term musical partnership. Cover songs include Time After Time, Scarborough Fair, Classical Gas, Paint It Black, Blackbird, Isn’t She Lovely, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Fragile, and Crazy Train. Original tunes include A Thought for You, Mountain Song, and the title track.

This is a fantastic, low-key album with a great selection of songs and top-flight musicianship. The arrangements are clean and clear. The recording of the acoustic guitars is flawless and well-balanced. The cover songs may seem like an odd mix of picks, but they demonstrate a range of different textures and styles. It’s surprising how perfectly it all comes together.

This CD passed my “play in the car” test with flying colors. I was enchanted by the songs chosen and the sheer delight the guitarists take in presenting them. It’s a wonderful album for relaxing and cruising down the road.

~review by Elizabeth Hazel

Carbe and Durand
2016, Strangetree Productions
13 Tracks, 49 minutes. Available at a variety of outlets.
CD $12.97, mp3 download $9.99.