Shearing Piano

Artist: George Shearing

Number of Discs: 1

Label: Capitol
Availability: Sold out
Item #: 5170345

Available in U.S. only.

List Price: $16.99
Member Price: $11.98

This item is currently unavailable

Review

This is one of the earliest releases to feature George Shearing exclusively as a solo pianist, and the CD reissue of the long unavailable LP adds ten previously unissued tracks. He is rather surprisingly low-key on most of these interpretations, even though they are mostly ballads, possibly because of Capitol's original marketing concept. "Stella by Starlight" is especially odd, starting off rather dreamy and evolving into more of an arrangement that sounds as if a classical pianist is making a crossover recording. Many of the other songs have long since disappeared from the jazz scene (if any of them were regularly played) since the original record came out in the 1950s; they include long forgotten songs such as "Guilty," "Friendly Persuasion," "High on a Windy Hill," and "Sigh No More." The newly added material includes a version of "My Funny Valentine," which has a rather unusual bassline and later hints at various classical composers, especially Mozart. Music by Rachmaninov is incorporated into his arrangement of "Tenderly," and a theme by Poulenc is worked into "On the Street Where You Live"; there's also an interpretation of Debussy's "Reverie." Although this isn't a very representative release from George Shearing's considerable discography (spanning over a half century), it should not be condemned because it doesn't sound like his better-known jazz recordings. As long as one isn't expecting Shearing's typical locked hands and often humor-filled style that's heard on most of his releases, this CD should please any jazz fan who is in the mood for something mellow. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

George Shearing's distinctive solo style reflects the great classical pianists, as well as those of Fats Waller, Earl Hines, Art Tatum and Bud Powell. This CD is loaded with his full arsenal of influences and artistic creativity. Each track highlights his meticulously refined light touch that made him a favorite from his fledgling start in London to the shores of America.

His rendition of On The Street Where You Live is a beautiful array of harmonies that elicit joyful excitement. It Might As Well Be Spring, Tenderly and My Funny Valentine are reflections of his earlier training in classical music; however, these songs swing with varied approach that's both stimulating and soothing. His version of Billie Holiday's Don't Explain is a diversion from his laid-back style and takes on a dark smoky barroom atmosphere jumping with heavy chords. Can't We Be Friends and Memories Of You reveal the influence of Art Tatum and can be heard as a direct homage to the great pianist.

Solo albums are always a monumental task for any musician but here The Shearing Piano is triumphant in taking his musicianship to greater heights.

-Ron Scott

Stella By Starlight; On The Street Where You Live; Guilty; Friendly Persuasion; For Every Man There's A Woman; It Might As Well Be Spring; High On A Windy Hill; If; A Tune For Humming; Sigh No More; My Funny Valentine; In The Still Of The Night; So Would I; Tenderly; Can't We Be Friends; It Never Entered By Mind; Memories Of You; Don't Explain; Homesick, That's All; Reverie.

George Shearing, Piano.

Tracks + Soundclips

Shearing Piano
	1. Stella by Starlight	5:48
	2. On the Street Where You Live	2:54
	3. Guilty	3:17
	4. Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love)	2:51
	5. For Every Man There's a Woman	2:37
	6. It Might as Well Be Spring	5:11
	7. High on a Windy Hill	3:03
	8. If	2:51
	9. Tune for Humming	2:55
	10. Sigh No More	4:08
	11. My Funny Valentine	3:58
	12. In the Still of the Night	3:05
	13. So Would I	3:17
	14. Tenderly	5:55
	15. Can't We Be Friends?	2:33
	16. It Never Entered My Mind	3:18
	17. Memories of You	4:26
	18. Don't Explain	2:31
	19. Homesick, That's All	2:27
	20. Reverie	4:53