I can’t remember the last time I saw a set of vibes at the Railway but if you are going to invoke the sounds of George Shearing, I suppose vibes will be an essential item. Also on board was a young singer who had a nice sounding voice.
Simone McGregor was featured on about a third of the numbers played doing a great version of September in the Rain - a hit for Shearing and, in my opinion, one of the greatest tunes ever written. I should mention that singers are seldom seen at this venue as most of the acts that play here are usually instrumental quartets.
Paul Hartley, who took on the role of compere for the show, explained before the opening I Remember April that the tunes played would be short as the band had many of them and he was not kidding!
I reckon they got through at least 21 tunes and even then I may have missed one or two. This has got to be a record for the amount of numbers played during a 2 hour time frame at this venue. For this reason I will not be listing all the tunes played but will mention the ones that I thought were highlights.
Dream: A Johnny Mercer composition - vocal by Simone.
Bernie’s Tune: Another well-known tune and I liked the vibes solo.
If Dreams Come True: A Benny Goodman tune with another fine vocal by Simone.
Isn’t It Romantic: Always liked this tune since I heard Benny Carter’s version on an EP with Oscar Peterson.
This all takes me back to October 6 1962 when I saw George Shearing at Manchester’s Free Trade Hall. Also on the same bill was singer Sarah Vaughan, but she cancelled due to illness and her place was taken by ex Count Basie vocalist Joe Williams backed by pianist Junior Mance and his trio. This is what decided me to buy a ticket as I was a big fan of Junior Mance and still am. I still have a photo I took with an old Box Brownie camera of Joe Williams which came out great. Shearing had a great band and I was highly impressed by his bass player Ralph Pena and also Vernel Fournier an amazing drummer who died in 2000. The vibes player in George Shearing’s band was Douglas Marsh who mainly played on the themes and about whom I know nothing.
To sum up I would like to wish this project all the best and congrats to Bryan Pendleton and Paul Hartley for making it a successful night. Also I thought they got the sound as near perfect as possible.
The next jazz night
at the Railway is on Sunday Jan 30 with the Grant Russell Quartet. Mike Farmer
2 comments :
Mike - you think you've got memories! October 6, 1962 was the day I got married. After the reception we drove down to London in a rented Triumph Herald for our honeymoon.
We did the sights but one of the highlights was seeing the very same concert that you saw in Manchester at Finsbury Park Empire a few days later. I still have the programme.
Nat King Cole and Shearing had had a hit with Let There be Love and Joe Williams did a fine job in his place.
Keep those memories coming ...
Years later I saw Shearing at the RFH with Mel Tormé - he sure could accompany singers!
Hi Lance -Yes I've got some great memories which involve Jazz related things but other stuff I find hard to recall. You mentioned the hit that Shearing had with Nat King Cole. Let There be love. I thought it strange that the Shearing Sound did not feature this number and also the bop tune Conception was not played. They did however end the show with a fine rendition of Lullaby of Birdland. Cheers Mike Farmer.
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