Editorial Reviews

This duo recording by the renowned jazz pianist George Shearing and bassist Don Thompson lay hidden away in a drawer for almost thirty years. When Thompson listened again to the tapes shortly after Sir George Shearing's death in 2011, he realized that he had in his hands a very special recording. The fourteen tracks were recorded in early 1983 at Shearing's home in New York during a six-week residency at a NY jazz club. The two musicians spent afternoons drinking tea and playing just for fun. The relaxed atmosphere with Shearing playing his own piano in his own home, with no studio pressures or audience to please, meant that the only thing on his mind was to make beautiful music. The duo tracks include a Thompson original, a lyrical version of "The Skye Boat Song" as well as several well-known jazz standards. The four solo tracks are, to Thompson, what George was all about. They include "Beautiful Love," a "one-time-only flash of the genius of George Shearing. I'd never heard him play it before and he never played it again. I think it's one of the most amazingly beautiful things I've ever heard."

Product details

Language ‏ : ‎ English
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.51 x 0.2 x 4.92 inches; 1.23 Ounces
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Jazzknight Records
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ January 24, 2013
Label ‏ : ‎ Jazzknight Records
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00B5NXBC0
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Best Sellers Rank: #165,512 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #1,419 in Traditional Jazz & Ragtime (CDs & Vinyl)
- #86,211 in Pop (CDs & Vinyl)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 16 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

16 global ratings

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Michael Scullin

Mr. Shearing has a good time.

Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2013

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Having been a Shearing fan since the 1950s I have heard a lot of George Shearing and have a lot of George Shearing in my collection. This recent collection was recorded (quite well I might mention) not in a studio but, as the title states, "at home." It is unencumbered by A & R people and consists entirely of just whatever it was that Shearing wanted to play. And play he does. I can't think of any other piano player who can "romp" through a tune with the enthusiasm that he can. The CD is as full as a CD can be of "great American songbook" tunes, all of which are done with Shearing at his relaxed best. I've played this particular CD many times now and enjoy it thoroughly each time. If you know George Shearing you'll enjoy it and if you don't --- well --- this is a darned good place to start

4 people found this helpful

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A warm collection of solos and duets

Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2013

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I am very familiar with the work of George Shearing, ranging from his early recordings in London to those at the end of his career. These piano solos and duets with bassist Don Thompson are intimate performances made in Shearing's home that deserve to be released decades ago when they were recorded. All that is missing is Shearing's witty remarks.

3 people found this helpful

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Bob Conrad

Don Thompson is the best bassist I have ever heard

Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2016

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Don Thompson is the best bassist I have ever heard. Every note (and he plays a ton of them) are all perfectly in tune. I can't get over how well together they played. This album is an illustration of communication at its very best. I will treasure this album.

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TOM BRADY

record companies are so wrong !

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2013

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I've had to wait 30 yrs for these masterpieces? I remember shearing playing bobby Timmons masterpiece "moanin'" in 1961 live w/ the quintet. I had to wait 30 yrs for that to be released when MOSAIC RELEASED THE LIVE CAPITOL SHEARING JAZZ RECORDINGS. ALSO, W/ THE NANCY WILSON ALBUM THEY NEVER RELEASED BENNY GOLSONS "WHISPER NOT" UNTIL MUCH , MUCH LATER. SURE MISS GEORGE!

Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2014

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Enrico and Christian are the two best piano players today! Nothing else to be said!

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Sarah A Britton

I'm a little disappointed

Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2013

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Recommended by someone who runs a music program ona radio stationon NPR. I expected more tunes that I know; these were more obscure, although played beautifully, of course, in Shearing's inimicable style.

Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2014

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Shearing at his best-smooth. Just the bass is enough. Makes a winter evening warm and cozy. Glad that the recording was found, saved and made into this CD.

4 people found this helpful

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Susan Denoewer

Should be Part of library

Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2015

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Very nice

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Amazon Customer

George Shearing At Home

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2014

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A beautiful record. To get two matters out of the way first, the recording quality on my copy, unlike one of the other reviewers, is fine, but the cardboard sleeve is a little flimsy and will not offer much long term protection to the disc.
After the quintet finally went, Shearing's favoured format seemed to be the duo. He had a number of very good discs and live sessions with various bassists, and this is one of the best of them. It dates from 1983, and purports to be an informal session recorded in Shearing's New York living room. Be that as it may, both recording and playing are impeccable.
Don Thompson, the bassist here, is both light and fast fingered. He lays down a supportive beat when needed, produces dexterous solo work and interplays as an equal with Shearing as part of the group. These are genuine duets and not simply piano accompanied by bass.
Shearing, as ever, has a beautiful sound on the piano, and couples it with an impeccable choice of tune. Most of the tunes are attractive ballads, both old ('Laura') and new ('A Time For Love'). but it is a varied programme, with a couple of modern jazz classics in 'Confirmation' and 'SubconsciousLee', and an old favourite of George's in 'The Skye Boat Song'. All are treated with respect and affection.
George wasn't always taken seriously by the jazz critics in the days of the quintet, but you realise, on listening to much of his later work, and this is one of the best, that he really was a class act.

Music lover

A masterpiece to add to my collection

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 12, 2013

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I like anything by George and this one is excellent. The only gripe I have is the presentation in a cheap cardboard sleeve. Surely the extra expense of a jewel case is warranted. The playing on this CD however is excellemt

5 people found this helpful

john david clapson

not he best of george shearing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2014

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poor quality recording

this non studio recording suffers from a lack of distinct notes and good balance between the instruments. I have a George shearing studio recording solo piano which is out of this world - totally sublime

E.M.Collier

you should buy this

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2013

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One of Georges's best. Very relaxed and unrestricted. A joy to listen to. Beautifully recorded. You will not be sorry!

8 people found this helpful

Mr. Brian Watson

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2016

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