PopMatters awarded the album 8 stars out of 10 and said, "In the end, we hear the true poetry of playing between these two—and Rubalcaba is never less than stunning here—and the connection between this and the spirit world made through these six compositions. As it all winds to a close you can’t help but turn the record over one more time in your mind, retrace your steps back to the beginning where the notes and the journey all started. It all makes you thankful that this record happened and that there were once men like Charlie Haden to walk the earth".[2] Writing for Audiophile Audition Jeff Krow observed "What is universal to all the tracks is a gentleness, and sense of an intuitive late night conversation between two soul mates who had not seen each other for a long time, yet can regain their connection within minutes of reuniting. Even the up-tempo numbers do not change the mood set by this duo. Thank goodness that the folks at Impulse Records saw fit to honor the wishes of Charlie Haden, to make sure his musical friendship with Gonzalo was shared with the world. For late night contemplation Tokyo Adagio can’t be beat".[3] Cormac Larkin of The Irish Times said "This live 2005 recording from a Tokyo club captures two friends in a soft- spoken conversation – a talented pianist with a romantic heart, and a bassist who had the generosity and empathy to help it to sing".[4]
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