Customer Reviews

Favorite Things

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Shearing's has found a way to suspend notes and cords into patterns of musical shapes. Anyone can play them, but none can create them in touch and timeing. There are similarities between Shearing's interpretation of "Favorate Things" and Ax's efforts at Beetoven's "Emperors Concerto" The timeing of the more quiet passages - the pauses - are remarkably similar. Shearing has no choice but to manouver his notes in perfect cadance, or his work would be undistingished. Yet his timeing defines the work as does the "Emperor's". Both works are relatively simple in melody. It is the rythem patterns that define their greatness. Ax plays from paper - Shearing from his heart.

Favorite ThingsI've always liked music that relaxes me and takes the STRESS out of the day. The music on this CD is all that and more. Not only is the music relaxing, but the tunes are downright catchy. And they are ALL good. If you like Easy Listening Music you'll HAVE TO add this one to your collection.

As George Shearing has aged, his style at the piano has deepened. His long fascination with romantic and impressionistic classical composers has accentuated his ability to swing, and complemented his matchless way with a ballad.

On this album, he continues his growth as one of the most fascinating figures in piano jazz. The opening of "My Favorite Things" is like a Bach fugue, flowing seamlessly into the piece in much the same way as his recording some years back of "Where or When," which fused the standard with Satie's Gymnopaedie No. 2.

For me, though, the best moment on the album is Shearing's statement of Stephen Sondheim's "Anyone Can Whistle." All the hallmarks of Shearing's current ballad style are there: the cloudy locked-hand chording, the light and high statement of the melody, the care and craft he gives a tune that isn't so well known. This is a wonderful statement by a master pianist at the top of his art.