Artist: George Shearing
Album: Reflections: The Best Of George Shearing, 1992-1998
Genre: Bop, Cool
Label: Telarc
Released: 2000
Quality: FLAC (image+.cue)
Tracklist:
- Birdfeathers (5:08)
- Straighten Up And Fly Right (4:38)
- Summer Song (4:58)
- Oh, Lady Be Good! (3:20)
- Wail (4:35)
- Conception (7:08)
- How Beautiful Is Night (4:48)
- My Favorite Things (3:16)
- Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You (5:03)
- Bags' Groove (7:02)
- Subconcious Lee (7:35)
- Peace (7:04)
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (5:44)
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Subtitled The Best of George Shearing (1992-1998), Reflections truly is just that. This excellent compilation culls tracks from seven discs recorded while Shearing was in his seventies, placing him in different contexts performing a variety of mostly familiar material. His solo take on Dave Brubeck's "Summer Song" is especially beautiful, and the trio arrangements of "Straighten Up and Fly Right" and "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You" are standouts. However, it's the varied instrumentation that keeps the listener tuned in. The gorgeous accompaniment of the Robert Farnon Orchestra elevates and enriches "Oh, Lady Be Good!" without diminishing its inherent swing and gives "How Beautiful is the Night" a texturally shimmering glow. Vibist Steve Nelson and guitarist Louis Stewart are especially effective on the quintet version of Shearing's own "Conception" and add quiet depth to the Horace Silver composition, "Peace." Reflections provides a tasty re-introduction to some fine music from a very classy gentleman.
Review by Jim Newsom