New York Trio - Begin The Beguine (2006) [2015 SACD]

For their fifth album on Venus Records, Bill Charlap and his New York Trio took on another songbook. This time it was Cole Porter's. Begin the Beguine is part of Charlap's songbook series. Previous entries include that of Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, and Duke Ellington.
When you mix the divine melodies and romantic nature of Cole Porter with this great piano trio that has played together for five years...well, the results are extraordinary. The album begins with the lively "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To," then goes through the lovely "So In Love," the surprisingly unhurried "Begin the Beguine," and ends with the heart-rending "Every Time We Say Goodbye."

"...there is plenty of chemistry between the three veterans...Charlap's lyrical piano style is quite effective, capturing the nuances of Porter's humor (even though none of his lyrics are heard), while the rhythm section gels nicely with the pianist." -Ken Dryden, allmusic.com

Tracks:

1. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
2. My Heart Belongs To Daddy
3. So In Love
4. Begin The Beguine
5. I Love Paris
6. From This Moment On
7. Just One Of Those Things
8. Easy To Love
9. Every Time We Say Goodbye

Personnel:

Bill Charlap, piano
Jay Leonhart, bass
Bill Stewart, drums