Touch Me Softly cover

Touch Me Softly

George Shearing · 1963

34 min · 12 tracks · bebop · cool jazz

Lush arrangements intertwine with Shearing's signature piano style, creating a dreamy landscape of cool jazz elegance.

Why this album works

This album is significant as it showcases Shearing's unique blend of classical influences within the jazz framework, contributing to the rich tapestry of cool jazz in the early 1960s. It received positive critical reception and helped solidify his influence on subsequent artists in the genre, ensuring its place in the jazz canon.
Best for
steady flow for relaxed evenings dreamy soundscapes for daydreaming intimate moments with soft melodies
Context
By 1963, George Shearing was already an established artist, known for his innovative approach to jazz. 'Touch Me Softly' marked his continued evolution in the genre, following his successful albums in the late 1950s that popularized the 'Shearing sound'—a blend of bebop and lyrical melodies. This album reinforced his status as a prominent figure in the jazz scene during a time when cool jazz was gaining traction.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Just Imagine Standout 2:34
  • 2 The Blue Room 2:33
  • 3 You're Blasé 3:07
  • 4 Wait for Me 3:05
  • 5 Try a Little Tenderness Standout 2:45
  • 6 Suddenly It's Spring 2:41
  • 7 Be Careful, It's My Heart 2:18
  • 8 Sunday, Monday, or Always 2:40
  • 9 Lollipops and Roses 2:40
  • 10 Just as Though You Were Here 3:12
  • 11 Touch Me Softly Standout 3:37
  • 12 In a Sentimental Mood 3:22

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata