George Shearing - The Way We Are

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:45
Size: 92,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:36)  1. The Way We Were
(5:50)  2. Do You Know The Way To San Jose?
(2:51)  3. Killing Me Softly
(4:34)  4. The World Is A Ghetto
(5:16)  5. Superstar
(4:03)  6. Eleanor Rigby
(2:29)  7. Brian's Song
(3:28)  8. Aquarius
(4:02)  9. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
(4:31) 10. Alone Again (Naturally)

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 http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-way-we-are-mw0000874525

Personnel:  Piano – George Shearing;  Bass – Andy Simpkins;  Bongos, Congas – Chino Valdes;  Drums – Rusty Jones;  Guitar – Sigi Schwab;  Timbales – Carmelo Garcia;  Vibraphone – Heribert Thusek

The Way We Are

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Emilie-Claire Barlow - The Very Thought Of You

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:06
Size: 139,4 MB
Art: Front

(6:38)  1. The Very Thought Of You
(3:45)  2. Almost Like Being In Love
(3:35)  3. O Pato (The Duck)
(4:46)  4. Les Yeux Ouverts (Dream A Little Dream Of Me)
(4:25)  5. Pennies From Heaven
(5:22)  6. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
(5:00)  7. Surrey With The Fringe On Top
(5:59)  8. My Time Of Day / I've Never Been In Love Before
(3:51)  9. C'est Si Bon
(2:54) 10. De Conversa Em Conversa
(5:25) 11. The Boy Next Door
(5:28) 12. So Many Stars
(2:53) 13. You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me

Named after the 1934 Ray Noble-penned standard made famous by Bing Crosby, The Very Thought of You is the sixth studio album from Canadian jazz vocalist Emilie-Claire Barlow. Released in 2007, it features silky-smooth renditions of Nat King Cole's "Almost Like Being in Love," Billie Holiday 's "What a Little Moonlight Can Do," and Mama Cass' "Dream a Little Dream of Me" alongside interpretations of hits from various musicals including Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, and Pennies from Heaven. ~ Jon O’Brien http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-very-thought-of-you-mw0000821545

Personnel: Emilie-Claire Barlow - vocal, shaker, triangle;  Reg Schwager (guitar); Drew Jurecka, Kathryn Sugden, Rebecca VanDerPost, Lenny Solomon (violin); Claudio Vena (viola); Wendy Solomon, Alex Grant (cello); Bill McBirnie (flute); Kelly Jefferson, Mike Murley (tenor saxophone); Kevin Turcotte (flugelhorn); Nancy Celeste Walker (piano); Alan Hetherington (pandeiro, rainsticks, surdo, wood block, caxixi, percussion, bells).

The Very Thought Of You

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Stanley Turrentine - More Than a Mood

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:11
Size: 127,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:26)  1. Thomasville
(8:57)  2. They Can't Take That Away From Me
(7:28)  3. In a Sentimental Mood
(5:57)  4. Easy Walker
(5:45)  5. Triste
(5:19)  6. Pieces of Dreams
(9:19)  7. Spirit Up Above
(6:58)  8. More Than a Mood

For this quartet date with pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Billy Higgins (trumpeter Freddie Hubbard sits in on two numbers), Turrentine is in top form on a variety of standards plus Tommy Turrentine's "Thomasville" and Rahsaan Roland Kirk's "Spirits up Above." A fine session. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/more-than-a-mood-mw0000029373

Personnel:  Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine;  Bass – Ron Carter;  Drums – Billy Higgins;  Flugelhorn – Freddie Hubbard (tracks: 7);  Piano – Cedar Walton;  Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard (tracks: 1)

More Than a Mood

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Red Norvo Quintet - ...Naturally!

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:15
Size: 75,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:44)  1. I'll Remember April
(4:11)  2. Spider's Web
(3:45)  3. Tenderly
(3:57)  4. Lullaby Of Birdland
(3:19)  5. Stella By Starlight
(3:59)  6. Scorpion's Nest
(3:55)  7. Funny Valentine
(4:20)  8. Love For Sale

This reissue of a 1957 Rave Records release features Red Norvo's Quintet with Bob Drasnin on flute and alto; Jimmy Wyble on guitar, Buddy Clark on bass and Bill Douglass on drums. This quintet has a hard-swinging low-key style that epitomizes the 'cool' jazz of Hollywood in the 1950's. Great solos by Red on vibes, Bob Drasnin on alto and flute and Jimmy Wyble remind us of how alive this music could be in the hands of these consummate professionals. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Red-Norvo/dp/B0009G3B9M

Personnel: Red Norvo (vibraphone); Robert Drasnin (alto, flute); Jim Wuble (guitar); Bill Douglass (drums)

...Naturally!

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Poncho Sanchez - Papa Gato

Styles: Latin Jazz
Year: 1986
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:57
Size: 91,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:06)  1. Quindembo
(4:50)  2. Papa Gato
(4:43)  3. Serenidad
(4:16)  4. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid
(4:40)  5. Baila Baila
(4:59)  6. Pan Dulce
(5:30)  7. Tania
(4:23)  8. Senor Blues
(5:50)  9. Manteca

Percussionist Poncho Sanchez has long led one of the top Latin jazz groups, succeeding his former boss, the late Cal Tjader. On this enjoyable release, Sanchez features plenty of solos from Justo Almario (on alto, tenor, and flute), trumpeter Sal Cracchiolo, and trombonist Art Velasco, and the three percussionists have many opportunities to romp. The jazz content is pretty high with such songs as "Jumpin' With Symphony Sid," "Senor Blues," and "Manteca" alternating with group originals. A fine introduction to the accessible Latin jazz of Poncho Sanchez. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/papa-gato-mw0000196943

Personnel: Poncho Sanchez (congas, bata); Justo Almario (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Sal Cracchiolo (trumpet, flugelhorn); Arturo Velasco (trombone); Charlie Otwell (piano); David Romero (bongos); Ramon Banda (timbales).

Papa Gato

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