Guitarist Chris Standring’s Wonderful World is truly a wonderful recording. The production features the guitarist anchoring an all-star lineup of trios that includes the epic talents of drummers Peter Erskine, Harvey Mason and Dave Karasony, and bassists Geoff Gascoyne, Chuck Berghofer and Darek Oleszkiewicz in varied settings. Add to this talent, the backing from an incredible string orchestra delivering lush colors aided by the arranging and conducting of Gascoyne. The fantastic array of tunes here includes works by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Bob Thiele and George Davis Weiss, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart as well as Donald Fagen, among others. Randy Brecker guests on flugelhorn and Kathrin Shorr provides lovely vocals, each on one song respectively. In the midst of it all, Standring’s outstanding performances are truly the heart and soul of this phenomenal album of music.