Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » George Shearing: Like Fine Wine

252

George Shearing: Like Fine Wine

By

Sign in to view read count
George Shearing: Like Fine Wine
George Shearing's latest release, Like Fine Wine, presents the renowned pianist/composer in a trio setting performing a series of-sadly-quite tired standards.

Certainly, Shearing's abilities are in evidence, shinning through at odd moments throughout the course of the album, but the pieces are taken at such a meandering pace, and have been aged to such a mellow quality, that the resulting interpretations slip dangerously close to the smooth jazz versions, with the most egregious takes sounding almost like Muzak. Particularly painful are the bossa nova rendition of "Giant Steps" and the all but saccharine version of "You and the Night and the Music."

Exceptions to this tedious display, however, reveal Shearing's well-honed gift and will remind listeners why Shearing enjoys the stature he does. Of particular note are the gently swinging, beautifully colored "Moon Ray" and sonorous "Con Alma."

A lesson in poor programming and complacent musicianship, this collection will add little to listeners already familiar with Shearing's extensive body of work, and it should be avoided by those who are sampling their first taste.

Track Listing

1.(Passos Gigantes) Giant Steps 2. All Too Soon 3. You and the Night and the Music 4. Who Can I Turn To? 5. Moon Ray 6. Tricrotism 7. Welcome to My Dream 8. Lullaby in Rhythm 9. So Rare 10. Moose the Mooche 11. When Lights are Low 12. Why Did I Choose You? 13. Con Alma 14. The End of a Love Affair

Personnel

George Shearing: Piano Reg Schwager: Guitar Neil Swainson: Bass

Album information

Title: Like Fine Wine | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.