I've had this particular album in mind for presentation here for quite some time - mainly because I love the unusual cover - but I've never been able to coax decent sound from the execrable early-50s Savoy pressing. Well, I tried again today, with some minor success, and the results are at least listenable.
Note (March 2025): This LP is now available in a new transfer with greatly improved sound.
What we have here is Shearing's first US recordings, made for Savoy in 1947. The artist had recorded in London previously, and after nine sides for Savoy (eight of them here), would move on to Discovery briefly, then fame with M-G-M and Capitol.
The Savoy recordings present Shearing before he adopted the "Shearing sound" - the highly influential combination of his piano in unison with guitar and vibes. Here, it's Shearing with drums and bass only - and in a bop mood, only bringing out his locked-hands approach for his take on "So Rare." Also notable is the way he suggests the genesis of "'Round Midnight" in the opening bars of "Sweet and Lovely."
Savoy's sound may have been crude, but its artwork was avant-garde for the time, a minimalist approach with Burt Goldblatt's photo, the artist's name and not even a mention of the label.
I enjoy all eras of Shearing's long career - even (heck, especially) the cocktail music he produced for Capitol. These early recordings show a side that was overshadowed by his later, more popular efforts.
What we have here is Shearing's first US recordings, made for Savoy in 1947. The artist had recorded in London previously, and after nine sides for Savoy (eight of them here), would move on to Discovery briefly, then fame with M-G-M and Capitol.
The Savoy recordings present Shearing before he adopted the "Shearing sound" - the highly influential combination of his piano in unison with guitar and vibes. Here, it's Shearing with drums and bass only - and in a bop mood, only bringing out his locked-hands approach for his take on "So Rare." Also notable is the way he suggests the genesis of "'Round Midnight" in the opening bars of "Sweet and Lovely."
Savoy's sound may have been crude, but its artwork was avant-garde for the time, a minimalist approach with Burt Goldblatt's photo, the artist's name and not even a mention of the label.
I enjoy all eras of Shearing's long career - even (heck, especially) the cocktail music he produced for Capitol. These early recordings show a side that was overshadowed by his later, more popular efforts.
LINK to new transfer (March 2025)
Hi Buster - I wanted to thank you for the vintage George Shearing. I have been collecting his music for some time, but never came across this!
ReplyDeleteFF
Does anyone have the early Shearing LP called "Shearing In Hi-Fi", which contains "Drume Negrita"? Probably from 1950's.
ReplyDeleteAlso, would like to have an early 78 rpm (not by Shearing, but perhaps from 1930's or 1940's) containing something called "Prisinero del Mar" (Prisoner of the sea).
Gil
I have several Shearing on vinyl, and a few downloads...should be interesting hearing him before the locked-hands style. Thanks for this one.
ReplyDeleteJack
Thanks, Buster.
ReplyDeleteFor eight pre 1947 tracks have a look at BritJazz at
http://britjazz.blogspot.com/
One of the truly greats.
I got a chance to see Shearing years ago....awsome.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
just what i needed when i needed it
ReplyDelete; )
Thanks for this Sh(e)aring, Buster.
ReplyDeleteBuster, you've been on a roll lately...first the Louvins, then the two Masses..now George Shearing. Too bad that we are losing the great ones so fast. Mr. Shearing spent an hour with my Appreciation of Jazz class at the University of North Carolina many years ago, and I still vividly remember his style and musicianship. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Shearing has some of the best covers. Photographer John Purlia has an extensive (475!) vintage album cover collection online, including Black Satin, Blue Chiffon, On the Sunny Side of the Strip, and Velvet Carpet by Shearing. All fantastic.
ReplyDeletehttp://gallery.me.com/jpurlia
@ Chris - Sorry for the belated reply. I would have liked to have met Shearing myself. Never even heard him live!
ReplyDelete@ Kathy - Cool, thanks for the link.
Thanks for the update, Buster. This post was a long, long time ago, but it seems like just yesterday...
ReplyDeleteErnie - It does seem like a short time ago, doesn't it.
DeleteThanks for revisiting this with an upgraded transfer -- new to me but interested in hearing his early work
ReplyDeleteMrDave - Hope you like it. Don't expect too much from the piano sound.
DeleteThanks for bringing this one back. I've been exploring Shearing music lately. Do you happen to have The Shearing Touch from 1960? I haven't found that one anywhere except YouTube.
ReplyDelete