Victor Young's "Love Letters" is given a warm, medium-swing treatment on Joey DeFrancesco's 2012 album Wonderful! Wonderful!, with guitarist Larry Coryell and the organist sharing the solo space over the 32-bar ABAC form in B-flat major. Coryell's two-chorus guitar solo at 130 beats per minute combines melodic grace with harmonic sophistication, his phrasing conversational and relaxed as he explores the standard's romantic chord changes. DeFrancesco follows with two and a half choruses on Hammond B3 organ, his playing building from gentle opening statements to the full-bodied, gospel-tinged declarations that are his trademark. Young's 1945 composition, originally featured in the film of the same name, has remained popular with jazz musicians for its beautiful melody and satisfying harmonic structure. The medium tempo provides an ideal framework for both soloists, fast enough to swing yet relaxed enough to allow for melodic development. Drummer Jimmy Cobb's accompaniment is a model of tasteful support, his cymbal work and brush patterns complementing the soloists without drawing attention away from their improvising. "Love Letters" captures the best qualities of the DeFrancesco-Coryell partnership, their contrasting timbres and musical personalities creating a dialogue that is both stimulating and deeply satisfying.
