JOHN PIZZARELLI WITH GEORGE SHEARING QUINTET - The Rare Delight of You (2002) APE (image+.cue), lossless

John Pizzarelli teams with the George Shearing Quintet to reveal their unique musical chemistry on The Rare Delight of You, a 15-track gem filled with the ambience of such great composers as Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, Harry Warren, and the master himself, George Shearing. Pizzarelli, a master of the Great American Songbook, showcases his musical heirlooms -- buoyant, loving vocals and quality guitar skills -- alongside Shearing's authentic and full-spirited piano savvy with brilliant insight and freedom of expression without exceeding the boundaries of the original compositions. The results are tender, expressive, jazz renderings that resound with taste and class. The best-selling guitarist and his wife, Jessica Molaskey, co-wrote "I Predict" with Shearing and also co-wrote the title track, "The Rare Delight of You." The latter, a tender, love ballad with the potential to become a jazz standard, is a relaxing song that conjures a variety of loving moods. Among the more delightful and memorable songs are "September in the Rain" and "Be Careful It's My Heart." Pizzarelli delivers them with all their harmony and richness, quietly, softly in tune with the light and, at times, swinging piano accompaniment of Shearing. The group dynamic is also interesting since they've mastered an ever-changing body of arrangements. Great music attracts the best musicians and Shearing's Quintet: Dennis Mackrel on drums, Ted Piltzecker on vibraphone, Reg Schwager on guitar, and Neil Swainson on bass are among the attributes that make this CD a success. They immerse the listener in a variety of musical moods and set the tone on this one-of-a-kind musical terrain with a distinctive subdued passion. John Pizzarelli meets the same self-imposed standards he set on "Let There Be Love" and continues to deliver the goods with enthusiasm, earnest humility, and charm. by Paula Edelstein 
Tracklist:

1 If Dreams Come True 3:50

Benny Goodman / Irving Mills / Edgar Sampson
2 The Lady's in Love With You 2:43
Burton Lane / Frank Loesser
3 Everything Happens to Me 3:46
Tom Adair / Matt Dennis
4 Lulu's Back in Town 2:56
Al Dubin / Harry Warren
5 Something to Remember You By 4:53
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
6 Lemon Twist 3:54
Bobby Troup
7 Lost April 4:11

Eddie DeLange / Emil Newman / Hubert Spencer

8 Problem 5:45
Jay Leonhart
9 The Rare Delight of You 4:03
Jessica Molaskey / John Pizzarelli
10 A Shine on Your Shoes 3:33
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
11 Indian Summer 4:06
Al Dubin / Victor Herbert
12 Be Careful, It's My Heart  2:39

Irving Berlin

13 September in the Rain 4:01
Al Dubin / Harry Warren
14 I Predict (2001) 2:42

Jessica Molaskey / John Pizzarelli / George Shearing

15 Lucky to Be Me 3:38
Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green
Credits:
Arranged By – George Shearing (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 8, 10 to 15), John Pizzarelli (tracks: 4, 9)
Bass – Neil Swainson
Drums – Dennis Mackrel
Guitar – Reg Schwager
Piano – George Shearing
Vibraphone – Ted Piltzecker
Vocals, Guitar – John Pizzarelli

THE GEORGE SHEARING QUINTET WITH DAKOTA STATON - In the Night (1957-2003) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With its progressive-leaning jazz and modernist blues vocals, In the Night was the prototype for the piano-vocals collaboration record that George Shearing would remake with Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, and Nancy Wilson while at Capitol (and many others afterwards). In July 1957, just after Dakota Staton's immense success with "The Late, Late Show," Capitol recorded two of its biggest jazz stars together for what would turn out to be one of the finest teamings in either's career. Staton appears on every other song, lending her blend of post-bop vocal prowess and late-night melodrama to a set of well-chosen songs including "In the Night" and "I Hear Music." (Ironically, the version of "The Late, Late Show" heard here is an instrumental.) Shearing and Staton are joined by the pianist's group at the time, including Emil Richards on vibes, the splendid Toots Thielemans on guitar, and a few features for Latin percussionist Armando Peraza. The group's finest features are the opener, "From Rags to Richards," a fine Shearing original with excellent solos from Richards and Shearing, and Ray Bryant's "Pawn Ticket," with fine work from Thielemans and Richards. by John Bush  
Tracklist:
1 From Rags To Richards 3:12
2 I'm Left With My Blues In My Heart 2:53
Featuring [Vocals] – Dakota Staton
3 Pawn Ticket 2:19
4 In The Night 1:59
Featuring [Vocals] – Dakota Staton
5 Easy 2:39
6 I Hear Music 2:30
Featuring [Vocals] – Dakota Staton
7 Senor Blues 3:45
8 Confessin' The Blues 2:43
Featuring [Vocals] – Dakota Staton
9 Later 2:49
10 The Thrill Is Gone 3:04
Featuring [Vocals] – Dakota Staton
11 The Late, Late Show 2:31
12 I'd Love To Make Love To You 2:43
Featuring [Vocals] – Dakota Staton
Credits:
Bass – Al McKibbon
Bongos, Congas [Conga Drum] – Armando Peraza
Drums – Percy Brice
Guitar, Harmonica – Jean ''Toots'' Thielemans
Piano – George Shearing
Vibraphone – Emil Richards