George Cables draws from a variety of standards and jazz compositions by well-known composers for this 2000 trio date with bassist Jim Anderson and drummer Yorun Israel, the latter appearing for the first time with the pianist on a record date. Cables starts with a decidedly bop-flavored take of Duke Ellington's "Drop Me off in Harlem," romps through Billy Taylor's lively calypso "Capricious," and offers stunning interpretations of two gems by Wayne Shorter, "Virgo" and "Anna Maria." His interpretations of the standards are also of high value. He glides effortlessly through Johnny Mandel's "Emily" (a favorite of the late pianist Bill Evans and many others), while his sensitive rendition of the lush ballad "My Foolish Heart" is very lyrical. The session wraps with a loping, blues-drenched take of "One for My Baby." - Ken Dryden
Tracks
01. Drop Me Off In Harlem (Duke Ellington / Nick A. Kenny)
02. Virgo (Wayne Shorter)
03. My Foolish Heart (Ned Washington / Victor Young)
04. I Should Care (Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston)
05. Capricious (Billy Taylor)
06. Emily (Johnny Mandel / Johnny Mercer)
07. Anna Maria (Wayne Shorter)
08. One for My Baby (And One More for the Road) (Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer)
GEORGE CABLES piano
YORON ISRAEL drums
JIM ANDERSON bass
Recorded Abril 1999, New York
SteepleChase SCCD 31487