April 2009

Jim Shearer & Charlie Wood
The Memphis Hang
Summit

By Bill Milkowski

The pairing of organist Charlie Wood and tuba player Jim Shearer makes for some quirkily charming music on this eclectic outing. Shearer’s agile tuba work is showcased on a Latin-tinged “Secret Love,” a swinging rendition of Thelonious Monk’s “Well, You Needn’t” and the bluesy, shuffling title track. Wood, who doubles on barrelhouse piano, also contributes some affecting vocals on Fats Waller’s “Blue Turning Gray Over You,” Dave Frishberg’s jivey “Can’t Take You Nowhere” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Cool.”