Lullaby of Birdland [Video]

George Shearing

Overview

Fans of legendary jazz pianist George Shearing will without a doubt want to have a look at this release featuring the only concert by the oft-underappreciated musician ever captured on camera. Originally presented as part of the VIEW Video Jazz series, this performance was captured live at the Paul Mason Winery in 1991. Neil Swainson joins in on bass to perform an impressive collection of tunes including "Isn't It Romantic?," "Lullaby in Birdland," "Memphis in June," and "Moose the Mooch."

Product Details

Release Date:	06/02/2006
UPC:	0033909233293
Original Release:	1992
Rating:	NR
Source:	VIEW VIDEO
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	0:55:00
Sales rank:	53,355

Special Features

Trivia and fun facts subtitles; George Shearing biography; Photo gallery; Bonus historic video perfomance; Instant access to over 30 selections; Instant access to instrumental solos; Dolby Digital Stereo audio; Digitally mastered audio & video; Multi-directional interactive menus

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

George Shearing	Primary Artist,Piano
George Shearing	Piano
Neil Swainson	Bass

Technical Credits

Scene Index

Contents

Acknowledgements...................................vii
List of Illustrations..............................ix
1 The House in Arthur Street.......................1
2 Shillington Street School........................12
3 Linden Lodge.....................................23
4 Mighty Like the Blues............................37
5 Delayed Action...................................58
6 Swing Street.....................................82
7 September in the Rain............................103
8 Early Travels....................................123
9 Lullaby of Birdland..............................137
10 On the Road.....................................149
11 Classical Concerts..............................175
12 Ellie...........................................188
13 Two Bodies-One Musical Mind.....................209
14 Today...........................................233
Recommended Recordings.............................245
Index..............................................249

Editorial Reviews

Charming, smooth and flecked with insight, Lullaby of Birdland adeptly captures the voice of George Shearing, the 84-year-old English-born blind pianist...Like Shearing's music, his autobiography is sometimes too relentlessly smooth, controlled, self-congratulatory and superficial. But also like his music, at its best, Lullaby of Birdland represents an unapologetic individual perspective on jazz that is also broad enough to have an appeal beyond jazz fans.—Gene Santoro

The New York Times

In the exclusive coterie of great jazz musicians, none has had to overcome a handicap so devastatingly limiting as that of pianist George Shearing-the handicap of having been born in England. That he was also born blind seems not to bother him very much. So goes the story in his pleasantly conversational autobiography, to some extent the fruit of a collaboration with British jazz writer and broadcaster Shipton (A New History of Jazz). Together they have produced a book that is tightly edited and true to the voice of its subject. Shearing recalls key life events, from his education at London's Linden Lodge School for the Blind (where he learned to read Braille music) and first job as a professional in the local pub to his famous composition "Lullaby of Birdland." In the end, his only complaint is that blindness precluded his participating in sight-reading sessions-a small matter, really, for which he more than adequately compensated by being able to replicate anything after hearing it played once. This ability, combined with the good sense to select Teddy Wilson, Art Tatum, and Fats Waller (among others) as his models, set him squarely on the path he has followed since young adulthood. Suffused with warmth and good humor-Shearing remarks facetiously that he "hates" Waller for the size of his hands (what pianist doesn't?)-this is recommended for larger jazz collections. A companion CD will be released by Concord Records to coincide with the publication of this book.-Harold V. Cordry, Kansas City Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal