Thanks to my father, I’ll always have a soft spot for this 1961 pairing of pianist George Shearing and The Montgomery Brothers (guitarist Wes, vibraphonist Buddy, and bassist Monk) on the eponymous George Shearing and The Montgomery Brothers album on Jazzland. For aficionados, it is hardly a heavyweight jazz album, but for me it is a great collection of tasteful performances and an all-time favorite. A discovery from my dad’s record collection found at just the right time (my mid-teens) to leave a lasting impression. My father fancied himself a bit of a jazzhead in the early-to-mid 60s, eschewing The Beatles for Brubeck and The Stones for Sinatra. My song choice here, “No Hard Feelings,” has enough syncopation in the piano, guitar, and brushed drums to keep things lively, but the chiming tones of the vibes smooth things out nicely.
Thanks for this one, Dad.