Mr. Beautiful

[B. Goren.]

Mr. Beautiful is of course George Cables. This is how the great Art Pepper used to introduce him when they played together. Cables is a great pianist. His beautiful playing is another reason to listen to Art Pepper's recordings on Galaxy. I was so impressed from his playing that I bought two of his CDs: Shared Secrets and Cables' Vision. To be honest, I am afraid my English is not good enough to express my disappointment. The right definition to what cables recorded is elevator's music combined with light fusion. Not what I expected from him. Maybe Mr. Cables is at his best when he plays solo or in a trio format, like he recorded for Steeplechase.

Any comments or recommendations???

Edited April 21, 2004 by B. Goren.

[Chrome]

I don't have a lot of Cables recordings, but I've had the exact same experience ... loved him w/Pepper at the Vanguard; couldn't stand "Cables Vision." And I think your description of the latter is pretty much right on. I was expecting something a lot "boppier" than this, especially w/Hubbard and Hutcherson on board.

[Guest akanalog]

i don't think "cables vision" is all that bad considering...

it is from 1979..

it's not like hubbard, erskine and watts were known at this time for their pure jazz visions...

it was a commercial era for jazz and this album is a touch commercial...

nohing too bad i don't think.

i think of it more as "good natured" and i would have preferred something a little darker...

[Pete C]

Maybe Mr. Cables is at his best when he plays solo or in a trio format, like he recorded for Steeplechase.

Any comments or recommendations???

The solo Maybeck performance is spectacular. I really like the duets with Art Pepper too.

[DrJ]

If you like Cables you DO NOT want to miss NIGHT AND DAY (DIW), a fantastic trio album he led with Billy Hart and Cecil McBee also making strong contributions. Excellent recording, but the music is really what matters here. Boppish, full of fire as well as sensitive playing. Also (and I'm reading into B. Goren's original post that he's not into electric piano etc) it's all acoustic piano all the way.

[B. Goren.]

If you like Cables you DO NOT want to miss NIGHT AND DAY (DIW), a fantastic trio album he led with Billy Hart and Cecil McBee also making strong contributions. Excellent recording, but the music is really what matters here. Boppish, full of fire as well as sensitive playing. Also (and I'm reading into B. Goren's original post that he's not into electric piano etc) it's all acoustic piano all the way.

Thank you for the rec DrJ.

I'll look for it.