the arthur schwartz songbook

One of the great songwriters from the golden era of the American songbook, Arthur Schwartz never became as famous as Gershwin, Porter, or Berlin. However, a glance at the songs performed by the great altoist Herb Geller on this CD shows that Schwartz wrote many superior hits during the prime years. Geller, teaming up with a top-notch British rhythm section, is lyrical and melodic during these performances while not feeling shy to reshape and modernize the music a bit with inventive arrangements. "A Shine on Your Shoes" and "How Sweet You Are" were performed at a slightly later session as duets with pianist John Peace, whose chord voicings and subtle solos are major assets to this fine tribute set. Recommended.

Scott Yanow, All Music Guide