Music "Wishlist" No. 2 for the Holidays...

Although Pop music is not  in my bailiwick area, I have great regard for the form, and listen as often as I can to the many geniuses representing this aspect of the language.
I have chosen the following as suggestions to you, which are among my favorites:


The Tatum Hampton Rich Trio
This 1955 release is, for me, a golden example of what three of the leading instrumentalists of their time can do as they perform together.
The Force that was the pianist Tatum acts as a kind of binder/catalyst  that  propels Lionel Hampton and Buddy Rich (and Tatum himself) up into a level of discovery that is absolutely spellbinding. The chemistry formed by their simply getting together results in a fragment of History becoming formed, especially in "Hallelulah" and "Making Whoopee".


Shearing and Torme 'Do' World War Two
George Shearing, the legendary pianist, and his close friend Mel Torme, he of the velvet voice, collaborate in a delightful array of tunes coming out of  the Second World War. This collection  is numbered among  the final  recorded  performances  of this acclaimed  duo before the passing of Torme.


Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga

This recently released gem combines two vocalists who are, unbelievably, some sixty years apart. However, the magic of indestructible Youth is portrayed by way of story-telling through Song,  in spite of the reality that Bennett, at age 88, and Gaga, at age 28, sing tunes that Bennett was quite possibly singing publicly before our Lady  was born.


Cleo Laine and John Dankworth
Look for "Turkish Delight", based on Mozart's "Turkish Rondo" as done by the superbly gifted British pop singer, Cleo Laine and her husband.
And do not stop the search then and there. If you are not familiar with the artistry of Cleo Laine, listen to some of the tunes that she recorded. She was one of the most powerful pop singers in the history of this form, as you will discover.
Enjoy!