George Shearing Quintet with Nancy Wilson
the Swingin’s Mutual
1961
Capitol (ST 1524)
produced by Dave Cavanaugh and Tom Morgan
**** recommended
While all of Nancy’s 1960s albums will likely please her serious fans, some dates clearly stand out, and this early one with Shearing is clearly one of them.
The alternating back and forth between instrumental and vocal cuts works wonderfully, like pearls and diamonds lined up in a bracelet, and it causes one to wonder why this form of sequencing isn’t used more often. Instead of forcing the use of vocal fillers–too often an issue with albums of the 60s–this format fills the room with something worth talking about, works like a healthy conversation, and it offers space and repose, allows time for the music to sink into your soul. And with Nancy offering the vocals, the sequencing works like a tease, the instrumentals like head-spinning pauses between kisses.
Along with the two stars, vibraphonist Warren Chiasson and guitarist Dick Garcia get a little time to get their offerings into the conversations. It really doesn’t matter if you prefer Nancy’s jazz dates or her pop ones, this one will please everyone.
— winch (author of
Sounds Good 