Nocturne

1	En la Orilla del Mundo (At the Edge of the World) / Gonzalo Rubalcaba 5:14
2	Noche de Ronda (Nigth of Wandering) / Gonzalo Rubalcaba 5:43
3	Nocturnal / Gonzalo Rubalcaba 6:56
4	Moonlight (Claro de Luna) / Gonzalo Rubalcaba 5:37
5	Yo Sin Ti (Me Without You) / Gonzalo Rubalcaba 6:02
6	No Te Empeñes Mas (Don't Try Anymore) / Gonzalo Rubalcaba 5:30
7	Transparence / Gonzalo Rubalcaba 6:11
8	El Ciego (The Blind) / Gonzalo Rubalcaba 5:58
9	Nightfall / Gonzalo Rubalcaba 6:40
10	Tres Palabras (Three Words) / Gonzalo Rubalcaba 6:18
11	Contigo en la Distancia (With You in the Distance) / Gonzalo Rubalcaba 6:33

Barnes & Noble

On Nocturne the bassist-composer Charlie Haden and the virtuoso pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, frequent collaborators since 1986, address the bolero -- nine iconic classics of Cuban and Mexican vintage and one original apiece. Joining them on various tracks, in a variety of configurations, are a Pan-American ensemble. Cuban trap set/hand drum master Ignacio Berroa provides idiomatic rhythmic support; Joe Lovano adds his uniquely vocalized tenor saxophone voice; David Sanchez contributes his own passionate tenor statements; and the violinist Federico Britos Ruiz strikes apropos chords of romance fulfilled and unresolved. Haden's characteristically resonant sound and impeccable time impart to each song the perfect groove, and Rubalcaba's improvisations and arrangements cut to the essence, as does his concluding comment in the notes: "We should refer to this work not only as a musical album," he writes, "but also as an album of souvenirs, romantic paintings, declarations of love, loving confessions, falling out of love, and an entire tradition of music written with and for love, created and performed in the furthest corner of our memories by connoisseurs of life, harmony, melody and rhythmic patience." A masterful album, whose layers unfold with each hearing. Ted Panken

All Music Guide

Charlie Haden teams up once more with the young Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba for this melancholy, soothing album. Ignacio Berroa, on drums and percussion, completes the core trio. Special guests include tenor saxophonists Joe Lovano and David Sanchez, violinist Federico Britos Ruiz, and guitarist Pat Metheny (one track only). Rubalcaba contributes orchestrations on two cuts, both of which omit drums and percussion. Haden's intention is to explore the bolero, a distinctive Latin dance rhythm that Ignacio Berroa accents with a soft, subtle snare drum roll, played with brushes, beginning on the "and" of the first beat of the bar and ending on the second. This rhythm is perfect for a slow dance, and indeed, the entire album is highly romantic, with bittersweet melodies and lilting cadences. The only problem is that Berroa's bolero figure anchors nearly every track -- perhaps what one should expect from a bolero album, but there's no getting around the fact that the music sounds pretty much the same throughout. (To be fair, Berroa isn't solely to blame for the sameness.) Most of the songs, save for two originals by Haden and one by Rubalcaba, are Cuban and Mexican standards, and they're beauties. Haden's reluctance to mess with them is understandable. But the unvaryingly straightforward arrangements fade too easily into the background. Nocturne may well be the best candlelight dinner music ever, but Haden and his guests are capable of more. David R. Adler