Pianist George Shearing, whose vibes-guitar-piano-bass-drums quintet was one of the most popular in jazz throughout the '50s and '60s, seemed to have had a dual career while signed to Capitol. While his studio recordings often found his quintet augmented by strings, voices, brass, and/or Latin percussion in performances closer to mood music (or even Muzak) than jazz, his live engagements were definitely in the cool/bop vein. This Mosaic five-CD limited-edition box set brings back his five in-concert recordings, two of which are now double in length thanks to the inclusion of 13 previously unissued selections. There is more variety than expected to this program, with the full quintet featured on most numbers but space also set aside for showcases by the trio, Shearing's solo piano, and his regular "guest" Armando Peraza on congas. Shearing is the star throughout, although the sidemen include such fine players as vibraphonists Gary Burton, Emil Richards, and Warren Chiasson; guitarists Toots Thielemans (who plays harmonica on "Caravan"), Dick Garcia, John Gray, and Ron Anthony; bassists Al McKibbon, Ralph Pena, Bill Yancey, and Gene Cherico; and drummers Percy Brice and Vernel Fournier. Shearing's funny comments to the audience have also been included, and the result is a classy show filled with accessible but surprisingly inventive bop-based music.
CD 1
01. September In The Rain (3:24)
02. On The Street Where You Live (1:14)
03. Roses Of Picardy (2:58)
04. Little Niles (7:28)
05. Caravan (4:47)
06. I'll Remember April (3:11)
07. Little White Lies (5:13)
08. East Of The Sun (3:20)
09. Nothing But De Best (7:27)
10. Jordu (4:20)
11. As I Love You (3:03)
12. Confirmation (4:45)
13. The Nearness Of You (3:58)
14. Mambo Inn (3:27)
CD 2
01. Bernie's Tune (3:39)
02. Some Other Spring (4:11)
03. Joy Spring (4:30)
04. Drume Negrita (6:19)
05. The Be-Bop Irishman (4:03)
06. I'll Be Around (3:13)
07. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid (3:57)
08. Cocktails For Two (2:38)
09. Lullaby Of Birdland (4:30)
10. The Outlaw (3:33)
11. When April Comes Again (2:31)
12. Monophraseology (3:18)
13. The Nearly Was Mine (6:14)
14. My New Mambo (2:56)
CD 3
01. Walkin' (8:10)
02. Love Is Just Around The Corner (13:13)
03. I Cover The Waterfront (6:56)
04. Love Walked In (6:25)
05. There Were You (4:45)
06. Bel Aire (4:31)
07. Moanin' (10:26)
08. The Sweetest Sounds (3:05)
CD 4
01. Love For Sale (6:52)
02. Lee's Blues (6:25)
03. My Reverie (5:42)
04. Look No Further (2:22)
05. African Inspiration (6:53)
06. The Sweetest Sounds (2:52)
07. Look No Further (2:04)
08. Hallucinations (3:59)
09. Sunny (3:07)
10. They All Laughed (2:46)
11. Station Break (2:52)
CD 5
01. Over The Rainbow (2:55)
02. Why Not (3:29)
03. I'll Never Smile Again (3:16)
04. Bop, Look And Listen (8:41)
05. I'll Say (4:19)
06. Fly Me To The Moon (6:18)
07. Lonely Moments (3:49)
08. Two Continents (4:36)
09. Room 608 (3:50)
10. Giselle (7:39)
11. Curamita Pachano (7:46)
