George Shearing

George Shearing Trio – Windows (1978/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 42:19 minutes | 746 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS Classical

This particular George Shearing Trio (with guitarist Louis Stewart and bassist Niels Pedersen) recorded three albums for MPS during 1977-79 and provided an excellent outlet for the brilliant pianist just prior to his association with the Concord label.

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George Shearing Quintet & Amigos – The Way We Are (1974/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 39:44 minutes | 746 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS Classical

„The formula for the George Shearing Quintet was wearing very thin by the time of this 1974 release, although he adds two Latin percussionists to the group for variety. The lack of notable sidemen means that Shearing does almost all of the solos, excepting the guest percussionists, but the major weakness of this record is the inane material. While Stevie Wonder’s ‘The Sunshine of My Life’ has been successfully absorbed into the jazz repertoire, forgettable turkeys like ‘Do You Know the Way to San Jose,’ ‘Killing Me Softly,’ a Muzak-like rendition of ‘Superstar’ (the sleep-inducing hit for Karen Carpenter written by Leon Russell), the insipid ‘The World Is a Ghetto,’ and especially the nauseating Gilbert O’Sullivan ballad ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’ prove that even a first-rate musician can do little to make these tunes interesting to jazz listeners. One almost assumes that Leonard Feather’s liner notes are tongue in cheek and that he had to force himself to say something positive about this dubious project. Long out of print since BASF’s departure from the record-making business in the mid-’70s (possibly encouraged by flops like this), it’s safe to say that fans of the earlier successes (and the later revival) of the George Shearing Quintet can safely bypass this extremely disappointing LP.“ (Ken Dryden, AMG)

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George Shearing – The Many Facets of George Shearing (1978/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 50:10 minutes | 866 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS Records

This 1976 session finds pianist George Shearing at a crossroads in his career, transitioning from his classic quintet to working with smaller duos or trios. He is accompanied here only by bassist Andrew Simpkins, an alumnus of The Three Sounds. The material focuses mainly on pop hits, from the Beatles to Mack the Knife.

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George Shearing – My Ship (1975/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 44:40 minutes | 835 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS Classical

„This solo piano set by George Shearing is quite eccentric and unpredictable. Freed from the constraints of his popular Quintet, Shearing lets his imagination loose on songs that include ‘My Ship,’ ‘Happy Days Are Here Again,’ ‘The Entertainer’ (which is turned into jazz after a rag beginning), ‘Londonberry Air,’ and — unfortunately — ‘Send in the Clowns,’ on which he makes the mistake of singing. Some of the classical allusions are a bit too cute, but Shearing’s wit and charm eventually win one over.“ (Scott Yanow, AMG)

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George Shearing Trio – Light, Airy & Swinging (1974/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 43:06 minutes | 785 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS Classical

„George Shearing, after over two decades as leader of his popular Quintet, was largely taken for granted as a pianist. His trio recordings for MPS in the mid-’70s did a lot to salvage and restore his former reputation as a virtuoso and a distinctive player.

On this trio set with bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Stix Hooper, Shearing fully investigates a variety of superior standards, particularly ‘Speak Low,’ Johnny Mandel’s ‘Emily’ and ‘Beautiful Friendship’ which are given the most extensive explorations of the eight songs; only ‘Love Walked In’ is a holdover from the quintet days. This enjoyable LP is long overdue to be reissued on CD.“ (Scott Yanow, AMG)

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George Shearing Trio – Getting in the Swing of Things (1980/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 44:56 minutes | 781 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS Records

As the title implies, this 1979 session from jazz pianist George Shearing and his trio focuses on swing music, both standards and a handful of originals. The album is one of three that Shearing recorded with guitarist Louis Stewart and bassist Niels Pedersen in the late 1970s after he disbanded his classic quintet and moved toward duos or trios.

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George Shearing Quintet – Continental Experience (1975/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 38:21 minutes | 705 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS Records

George Shearing’s classic quintet is expanded to seven members on this release as two of Shearing’s “amigos,” Latin percussionists Carmelo Garcia and Chino Valdes, sit in on this 1975 release of pop standards. Includes a reading of Shearing’s biggest hit and signature tune Lullaby of Birdland.

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George Shearing Trio – 500 Miles High (1979/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 43:06 minutes | 758 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS Classical

„The most underrated recordings of George Shearing’s career were his trio sets made in the mid-’70s for MPS after the breakup of his popular Quintet. This particular LP is one of three that feature the brilliant pianist in a drumless trio with guitarist Louis Stewart and bassist Niels Pedersen.

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