Any George Shearing fans? In your opinion, what's the best of his Capitol LPs?

I recently picked up a Japanese reissue of George Shearing's Bossa Nova and it is classy! Now, a slew of his 1950s Capitol albums have been given the Japanese mini-LP CD treatment. I was wondering what is generally considered George Shearing's best work either in the Latin style he favored over the course of a few albums or his more lushly orchestrated, "easy listening" mood music albums?

The LPs newly reissued on CD are, in no particular order:
The Shearing Spell
Velvet Carpet
Latin Escapade
Black Satin
Night Mist
Burnished Brass
Latin Lace
Blue Chiffon
Latin Affair
Satin Brass
White Satin
On The Sunny Side Of The Strip

These CDs aren't cheap, so I ultimately may only be able to buy one or two. This thread is also a roundabout way of asking for help in making a pretty tough decision!

Which would YOU choose?

 

G'day,

I've got a couple of the George Shearing LPs mentioned above (blue, white, black)... but in all honesty the one I reach for most is Nat King Cole Sings George Shearing Plays.

--Geoff

 

Thanks for the heads up about the Japanese Mini-LP's - My dad was a major fan, so I'll have to check on picking up some for him.

 

There were so many Capitol albums of his group that I never knew where to start. So I purchased the two Capitol Jazz Blue Note sampler albums.

The Best of George Shearing (1955-1960) Mastered by Malcolm Addey. 1995. The notes tell you that the 18 tracks are from 15 different albums.

The Best of George Shearing, Volume Two (1960-69) Mastered by Ron McMaster. Here the 18 tracks seem to be from 18 different albums.

 

I didn't know about these Japanese reissues. Interesting.

I also don't know if these are generally considered his "best," but my two favorites from the list above are "Black Satin" and "White Satin," both of them sort of cocktail make-out music for the day, but ravishing. I purloined my pop's LP of "Black Satin" one year on my way to college--I was in a 50s craze and thought the album cover perfectly encapsulated the elusive 50s buzz I was coveting--and played it all the time. I found the CD several years later, and supplemented it with "White Satin" immediately after. The Latin albums are excellent, too.

 

One of my favorite George Shearing albums is the one with Nat King Cole.
"Nat King Cole Sings George Shearing Plays"
Some amazing stuff there by both. I have the original Capitol release and it sounds really nice.

 

For me the two earliest (I think), "Velvet Carpet" and "Shearing Spell." I have all of the ones you listed on vinyl and these are the ones I play the most.

 

I don't really care for the Capitol albums, which are more easy listening than jazz. I much prefer his earlier MGM albums.

The only one that I have that's on that reissue list is "Latin Escapade," so I guess that's my favorite.

It's too bad that the albums he cut with Nancy Wilson and Peggy Lee aren't on that list.

 

If Steve ever got a chance to do more Nat Cole albums for Analogue Productions, I'd move his duet album with George Shearing to the top of the list for remastering, along with his Christmas recordings for Capitol...I'd buy those in a cold New York minute!!!

 

Black Satin and White Satin are essential. And Latin Escapade is superb as well. As that generation is going on to assisted living, these records in nice condition are becoming easier to find. So, get one or two while you can and try some. I enjoy them.

 

Get the John Piazzarelli George Shearing CD The Rare Delight of You....I have the SACD its a bargain and has great music

 

Yes

 

Black Satin was recorded 18,19 and 20 december 1956; at Capitol Tower.

 

That's a title which would be a great Audiophile reissue,

 

Isn't one of Shearing's LPs visible during a scene in A Hard Day's Night?

 

I feel his best albums musically are his live albums; a bunch are collected in the Mosaic set mentioned above.

 

For anyone who likes solo piano you can't go wrong with ...

The Shearing Piano (Capitol Jazz)

 

Terrific CD!!!!!!!

 

I'm glad you did!