Grammy-award-winning (Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, 1998) double album Beyond The Missouri Sky (Short Stories) features acoustic bassist Charlie Haden and guitarist Pat Metheny in duo format. The title references the US state close to the hearts of both musicians: Haden hails from Shenandoah, Iowa, whilst Metheny was born in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

There is a dazzling variety of material on offer here, from the rootsy Americana of the artists’ own compositions to Ennio Morricone’s romantic ‘Love Theme From Cinema Paradiso’, Henry Mancini’s elegant ‘Two For The Road’ and Johnny Mandel’s lyrical ‘Moon Song’. Haden delivers his typically soulful grooves, whilst Metheny utilises a variety of instruments including steel-string acoustic, guitar synth and sitar. The result is a slow-burning classic.