Dick Hyman - Plays the Great American Songbook (1994)
Artist: Dick Hyman
Title: Plays the Great American Songbook
Year Of Release: 1994
Label: MusicMasters Jazz
Genre: Jazz, Swing
Quality: FLAC (tracks+.cue,log,scans)
Total Time: 02:05:02
Total Size: 389 MB
WebSite: Album Preview
Tracklist:Title: Plays the Great American Songbook
Year Of Release: 1994
Label: MusicMasters Jazz
Genre: Jazz, Swing
Quality: FLAC (tracks+.cue,log,scans)
Total Time: 02:05:02
Total Size: 389 MB
WebSite: Album Preview
CD1 {00:59:26}
01. Begin the Beguine (Porter) - 4:58
02. Lady of the Evening (Berlin) - 5:28
03. Fascinating Rhythm (Gershwin) - 1:39
04. Over the Rainbow (Arlen) - 4:53
05. Brush Up Your Shakespeare (Porter) - 4:33
06. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Berlin) - 5:37
07. Strike Up the Band (Gershwin) - 4:05
08. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Arlen) - 4:40
09. Were Thine That Special Face (Porter) - 5:17
10. Soft Lights and Sweet Music (Berlin) - 3:28
11. Who Cares? (Gershwin) - 3:44
12. As Long as I Live (Arlen) - 3:47
13. Night and Day (Porter) - 7:17
CD2 {01:05:36}
01. Easter Parade (Berlin) - 2:52
02. Liza (Gershwin) - 4:36
03. Woman's Prerogative (Arlen) - 4:47
04. All Through the Night (Porter) - 4:31
05. Always (Berlin) - 2:26
06. The Man I Love (Gershwin) - 3:59
07. Get Happy (Arlen) - 2:42
08. Easy to Love (Porter) - 10:31
09. The Night Is Filled with Music (Berlin) - 2:55
10. Nobody But You (Gershwin) - 1:54
11. Stormy Weather (Arlen) - 4:25
12. Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love (Porter) - 6:20
13. Russian Lullaby (Berlin) - 6:56
14. Somebody Loves Me (Gershwin) - 2:31
15. A Sleepin' Bee (Arlen) - 4:11
During 1987-1992, Dick Hyman recorded four albums for Music Masters on which he played his variations of the music of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Harold Arlen. This two-CD set has highlights from each of the dates, seven songs apiece. Hyman is as usual quite melodic, swinging and virtuosic. While many of the numbers are taken at relaxed tempos, Hyman is not adverse to playing an occasional barn burner. Art Tatum is the biggest influence on these performances but the music is largely played in Hyman's own style and he is typically flawless throughout. Each of the composers would enjoy these renditions. However Dick Hyman fans are advised to search for the four complete sets first since each selection is well worth hearing.