There are far too few recordings of top-notch jazz singers backed solely by equally talented pianists, so this onetime meeting of
George Shearing and
Carmen McRae proves to be magical.
Shearing recorded solo piano sessions a number of times during his long career, though he rarely played unaccompanied for a vocalist, with the exception of his meetings with
Mel Tormé.
McRae also had a prolific career and is still in great voice interpreting this standard-heavy collection.
Shearing's inventive chord substitutions in "Too Late Now" are a treat, with the singer making a delayed entrance.
Shearing is rollicking in "Gentleman Friend" (the album's only uptempo track), which also features
McRae doing a bit of scatting. The lesser-known "Cloudy Morning" finds the pianist in a bit of an impressionist mood and also sharing the vocals, while
McRae's powerful interpretation of "More Than You Know" is another gem. ~ Ken Dryden