George Cables - Dark Side, Light Side (1996)

1.Dolphin Dance
2.Dark Side, Light Side
3.Ruby, My Dear
4.Alone Together
5.In a Sentimental Mood
6.One Finger Snap
7.Sweet Rita Suite, Pt. 1
8.Ah, George, We Hardly Knew Ya.

George Cables (piano)

Jay Anderson (bass)

Billy Hart (drums).

George Cables focuses primarily on works by other jazz pianists on this trio date with bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Billy Hart. Thoughtful treatments of Thelonious Monk's "Ruby, My Dear" and Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood" contrast with the elaborate workouts of two Herbie Hancock tunes, the easygoing "Dolphin Dance" and the rapid-fire "One Finger Snap." The sole standard is a brisk rendition of "Alone Together." Don Pullen's quirky "Ah George, We Hardly Knew You" adds an exotic air. Cables' two originals especially stand out. "Dark Side, Light Side" is an intricate post-bop vehicle with an infectious tension-and-release highlighted by Cables' breezy improvising in a swinging setting, while "Sweet Rita Suite" is actually a Spanish-flavored waltz in disguise. This is another fine recording from George Cables' productive association with Steeplechase. ~ Ken Dryden.

Bruce Forman & George Cables - Dynamics (1985)

01.Mutt and Jeff
02.Doxy
03.Be My Love
04.Toscana
05.I Mean You
06.Anna
07.Mimi's Song
08.Felicidade.

George Cables - Piano
Bruce Forman - Guitar.

Although many guitarists have trouble playing with pianists (and vice versa), this guitar-piano duet set by Bruce Forman and George Cables works quite well. The players leave room for each other and sound clearly inspired by the other's presence. All of the performances are concise (clocking in between 3:36 and 6:22, with only "Doxy" over 5:13) and mix standards (such as "Be My Love" and Thelonious Monk's "I Mean You") with a pair of originals and a few obscurities. The volume of this duo may often be low, but the passion can be felt. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.

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George Cables - Skylark (1995)

01.Fungii Mama
02.Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum
03.Manha de Carnaval
04.Skylark
05.Samba de Orfeu
06.Someday My Prince Will Come
07.Felicidade, A
08.Pannonica
09.Dolahin.


George Cables (piano)
Jay Anderson (bass)
Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums).
Recording information: Steeplechase Digital Studio (04/1995).

George Cables made a series of excellent CDs for Steeplechase during the 1990s, one of which is Skylark, a fun trio studio session with bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Tootie Heath. Starting with a brisk take of Blue Mitchell's enticing calypso "Fungii Mama," the pianist offers a well-conceived set. A trio of tunes by great Brazilian composers include a snappy take of "Manha De Carnaval," a driving "Samba De Orfeu," and an usually upbeat take of the normally relaxed "A Felicidade." Cables also offers fresh approaches to the standards "Skylark" and "Someday My Prince Will Come." His easygoing stroll through Thelonious Monk's "Pannonica" is followed by his sole original of the date, "Dolahin," a spirited blend of calypso and Latin rhythms. ~ Ken Dryden.

George Cables Quartet - Beyond Forever (1994)

1.Lost Dreams
2.Round Midnight
3.Phantom of the Islands, The
4.Beyond Forever
5.I Fall in Love Too Easily
6.Thermo
7.Love Song
8.Evidence
9.Little B's Poem.

George Cables (piano)
Joe Locke (vibraphone)
Santi Debriano (bass)
Victor Lewis (drums).