Capitol Records Stereo 1965
This is the first of the Shearing Quintet’s Latin-themed albums since Mood Latino (1961) and, significantly and sadly, the last. It is little more than a collection of previously unissued Latinates that Shearing’s quintet waxed over four years: “Barandanga,” “Mambo at the Blackhawk,” “Just Goofin’” and “Tie Me Donkey” date from the April 1961 Mood Latino sessions. “Mambo Serenade,” “All Through The Night,” which Shearing concludes with a Chopin prelude, “Yours Is My Heart Alone” and “I Wished on The Moon” date from a Quintet performance featuring Gary Burton (probably) recorded the night before the February 1963 Jazz Concert album. And “More,” “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” “With Feeling” and “Quiet Nights (Corcovado)” date from a March 1965 session that produced two tracks for That Fresh Feeling!. But it all sounds remarkably cohesive and is surely a welcome respite from the many orchestral recordings Shearing had been obliged to do at the time. Latin percussionist Armando Peraza contributes four originals to the program including “Barandanga” (which he’d recorded with Mongo Santamaria in 1960 on Our Man in Havana), “Mambo Serenade,” “Tie Me Donkey” and “Mambo at the Blackhawk” – all terrifically enchanting and, not surprisingly, the album’s most festive highlights. Unfortunately, just about all of the tunes featured here, none of which of even gets to three minutes of playing time, are far too short and don’t allow for some of the energy and verve the performances generate to materialize properly. This surely won’t satisfy many jazz listeners. But it will satify fans of the Shearing Quintet that like to hear the band in this context. For my tastes, Latin Rendezvous is a joy. Even though it was probably rush released to capitalize on the brief Latin spell that swept through jazz in 1965, a trend led by the popularity of Cal Tjader, whose band was then being driven by Armando Peraza.
Side 1.
1. I Left My Heart In San Francisco
Written-By – Douglass Cross, George Cory
2:38
2. Just Goofin'
Written-By – Hubie Wheeler*
2:17
3. Your Is My Heart Alone
Written-By – Lehar*, Lohner*, Herzer*
2:23
4. Barandanga
Written-By – Armando Peraza
2:52
5. Quiet Nights (Corcovado)
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
2:18
6. Mambo Serenade
Written-By – Armando Peraza
2:35
Side 2.
1. With Feeling
Written-By – Bart Howard, Marvin Fisher
2:23
2. I Wished On The Moon
Written-By – Dorothy Parker, Ralph Rainger
2:15
3. Tie Me Donkey
Written-By – Armando Peraza
2:55
4. All Through The Night
Written-By – Cole Porter
2:35
5. Mambo At The Blackhawk
Written-By – Armando Peraza
2:45
6. More
Written-By – Ciorciolini*, Oliviero*, Ortolani*
2:41
Credits:
Photography By [Cover] – Capitol Photo Studio, George Jerman
Producer – David Cavanaugh, Tom Morgan
Available Options:
Option:
Vinyl Condition:
