by Scott Yanow
Pianist George Shearing started a productive ten-year association with the Concord label with this live set, a duo outing matching him with the brilliant bassist Brian Torff. Their performances are virtuosic, intuitive, full of sly wit and always swinging; it is surprising that Torff did not become more famous. The close interaction between the two masterful musicians on such numbers as Billy Taylor's &One for the Woofer,& &The Masquerade Is Over& and a humorous &Lazy River& are quite impressive as is Shearing's surprisingly effective vocal on &This Couldn't Be the Real Thing.& This CD is recommended.