Dave Miller (piano); Chuck Bennett (bass); Bill Belasco (drums)
(Review by Lance).
Miller makes no apologies - George Shearing is his inspiration. However, before you groan and mutter, 'not another Lullaby of Birdland' you'll be pleased to know that Birdland remains high in the sky - at least on this CD.
Shearing may be his idol but Miller is still very much his own man although not averse to the block hand style Shearing favoured (as did Nat Cole and Milt Buckner before him) which he also uses equally effectively. So no, this isn't a parade of hits but songs that Shearing played along the way without being indelibly associated with them.
The Bebop Irishman, a Ray Bryant tune that seemingly hasn't been recorded since 1962, is a great number that lives up to its title - it could have been renamed A Ceilidh on 52nd St.!
Those chord voicings! I get goosebumps just hearing them and, sacrilege that it may seem, even better without the vibes!
Bass and drums gel perfectly, Bennett in particular capturing the empathy between Shearing and bassists Brian Torff and Don Thompson.
If you're looking to hear a piano trio to compete with the grandmasters (no pun intended) then look no further...
Also, if you want to hear Miller as a master accompanist listen to the recordings he made with his daughter, singer Rebecca DuMaine. Link.
Lance.
Released date October 4 - Summit Records.
One For the Woofer (Billy Taylor); You Took Advantage of me; The Bebop Irishman; I'd Love to Make Love to You; Bittersweet (Sam Jones); A Foggy Day; A Beautiful Friendship; Confirmation; You Must Believe in Spring; This Time the Dream's on me; Careful (Jim Hall); A Time For Love; All my Tomorrows; Just Imagine.
The Bebop Irishman, a Ray Bryant tune that seemingly hasn't been recorded since 1962, is a great number that lives up to its title - it could have been renamed A Ceilidh on 52nd St.!
Those chord voicings! I get goosebumps just hearing them and, sacrilege that it may seem, even better without the vibes!
Bass and drums gel perfectly, Bennett in particular capturing the empathy between Shearing and bassists Brian Torff and Don Thompson.
If you're looking to hear a piano trio to compete with the grandmasters (no pun intended) then look no further...
Also, if you want to hear Miller as a master accompanist listen to the recordings he made with his daughter, singer Rebecca DuMaine. Link.
Lance.
Released date October 4 - Summit Records.
One For the Woofer (Billy Taylor); You Took Advantage of me; The Bebop Irishman; I'd Love to Make Love to You; Bittersweet (Sam Jones); A Foggy Day; A Beautiful Friendship; Confirmation; You Must Believe in Spring; This Time the Dream's on me; Careful (Jim Hall); A Time For Love; All my Tomorrows; Just Imagine.
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