AMG Review of Verve Jazz Masters 57

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

All of the CDs in this extensive Verve reissue series (this is really the 57th set) are samplers designed to give listeners some of the highlights of the artist's career. The 16 titles on the album are taken from pianist George Shearing's period on MGM, the early years of his famed piano-vibes-guitar-bass-drums quintet. Highlights include the original version of his greatest hit "Lullaby of Birdland" plus "September in the Rain," "East of the Sun," "Jumpin' with Symphony Sid," "How High the Moon" and "I'll Remember April." To annoy completists, a previously unheard alternate take of "I Wished on the Moon" is included. Among the sidemen are vibraphonists Marjorie Hyams, Joe Roland and Cal Tjader and guitarists Chuck Wayne, Dick Garcia and Toots Thielemans. There is plenty of classic music on this CD; hopefully it will someday be released complete and in chronological order.