by Scott Yanow
This excellent trio set by George Shearing with bassist Neil Swainson and drummer Grady Tate finds the veteran pianist still in prime form. The repertoire mostly consists of challenging material and tunes not overplayed by Shearing throughout the years. The musical communication between the players on such tunes as &Bird Feathers,& &The End of a Love Affair,& &The Duke,& &The Masquerade Is Over& and an original apiece by Shearing and Swainson is very impressive, and the pianist's solos are typically distinctive. This CD (Shearing's debut on the Telarc label) is a fine example of George Shearing's still-viable playing as he neared his mid-seventies.