Pianist George Shearing started a productive ten-year association with the Concord label with this live set, a duo outing matching him with the brilliant bassist Brian Torff. Their performances are virtuosic, intuitive, full of sly wit and always swinging; it is surprising that Torff did not become more famous. The close interaction between the two masterful musicians on such numbers as Billy Taylor's "One for the Woofer,""The Masquerade Is Over" and a humorous "Lazy River" are quite impressive as is Shearing's surprisingly effective vocal on "This Couldn't Be the Real Thing." This CD is recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracks
1. One for the Woofer (Billy Taylor)
2. Autumn in New York (Vernon Duke)
3. The Masquerade Is Over (Herbert Magidson/Allie Wrubel)
4. That's What She Says (Manfred Fest)
5. Soon It's Gonna Rain (Tom Jones/Harvey Schmidt)
6. High and Inside (Brian Torff)
7. For Every Man There's a Woman (Harold Arlen/Leo Robin)
8. This Couldn't Be the Real Thing (Gerry Mulligan/Mel Tormé)
9. Lazy River (Sidney Arodin/Hoagy Carmichael)
BRIAN TORFF double bass
GEORGE SHEARING piano and vocal
Recorded live at Blues Alley, Washington D.C. October 1979
Concord Jazz - CCD-4110