Various Artists: Signature Songs

Telarc has issued a compilation of well-known performances associated with specific jazz artists. But the difference with this release is that it isn't the specific performance one usually has in mind, but another one, all in live performance. Erroll Garner's signature song "Misty" comes not from his 1954 recording in Chicago nor his 1956 recording with Mitch Miller. Instead the version included on this CD is from a live performance at the Seattle World's Fair in August of 1963. Similarly "Take Five" is not from the seminal Time's Out album from 1959, but a 1995 recording at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. with a completely different quartet. The Ahmad Jamal version of "Poinciana", a song he owns, comes not from his 1958 live performance in Chicago, but a 1992 live performance, also in Chicago and which was previously unreleased. Another heretofore unavailable performance is by Cab Calloway on his "Minnie the Moocher" with the Cincinnati Pops Orch. no less. "Lullaby of Birdland" is played by the "new" George Shearing Quintet. Other artists represented on this fine release include Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry and Dizzy Gillespie. The one curve ball in the group is Liza Minnelli with her rousing rendition of "New York, New York". Not jazz, but a lot of fun from a talented lady. Adding this album to your collection allows for an option to the usual performance of a signature song associated with these artists played a little bit differently than the original in many cases. Recommended.