Oscar Peterson - Live! (1986)

Oscar Peterson - Live! (1986)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-covers | 280MB

Pablo CD 2310-940  | rel: 1990

Allmusic:
Pianist Oscar Peterson's stint at the Westwood Playhouse in Los Angeles in Nov. 1986 resulted in two CDs' worth of material. Peterson's quartet (with guitarist Joe Pass, bassist David Young and drummer Martin Drew) performs an interesting medley of "Perdido" and "Caravan," plays sensitively on "If You Only Knew," explores the pianist's "City Lights" and performs a three-part "The Bach Suite," which is climaxed by "Bach's Blues." Enjoyable music, it's recommended to Peterson's many fans.

Tracks
1. The Bach Suite: "Allegro" – 9:51
2. The Bach Suite: "Andante" – 3:24
3. The Bach Suite: "Bach's Blues" – 9:11
4. "City Lights" – 7:08
5. Medley: "Perdido" (Juan Tizol, Hans J. Lengsfelder, Ervin Drake) – 6:26
6. Medley: "Caravan" (Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Tizol) – 6:39
7. "If You Only Knew" – 7:56

Personnel
* Oscar Peterson – piano
* Joe Pass – guitar
* David Young – double bass
* Martin Drew – drums

 sample & buy: Oscar Peterson Live 

Oscar Peterson - Tristeza on Piano (1970)

Oscar Peterson - Tristeza on Piano (1970)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 290MB

MPS 06024 9827010 24bit remaster

Allmusic:
At the beginning of this set Oscar Peterson so overwhelms the normally gentle "Tristeza" that it almost becomes a parody. Fortunately the remainder of the bossa nova-flavored CD reissue is more tasteful and, even if Peterson is overly hyper in spots, he is able to bring out the beauty of such songs as George Gershwin's "Porgy," Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Trieste" and "Watch What Happens" in addition to stomping through the straightahead "You Stepped out of a Dream."

Tracks
-1. "Tristeza" (Haroldo Lobo, Niltinho) – 3:13
-2. "Nightingale" (Oscar Peterson, Gene Lees) – 6:42
-3. "Porgy" (George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward) – 6:12
-4. "Triste" (Antonio Carlos Jobim) – 5:21
-5. "You Stepped Out of a Dream" (Nacio Herb Brown, Gus Kahn) – 3:31
-6. "Watch What Happens" (Michel LeGrand, Norman Gimbel) – 6:10
-7. "Down Here on the Ground" (Lalo Schiffrin, Gale Garnett) – 8:46
-8. "Fly Me to the Moon" (Bart Howard) – 4:38

Personnel
* Oscar Peterson – Piano
* Sam Jones – Double bass
* Bobby Durham – drums

 sample & buy: Tristeza on Piano 

 

Oscar Peterson - The Good Life (1973)

Oscar Peterson - The Good Life (1973)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 275MB

OJC20 627-2, 20bit remastered

Allmusic:
Taken from the same live sessions that resulted in The Trio, this CD reissue of a Pablo album features three remarkable virtuosos: pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Joe Pass, and bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen. Although not quite reaching the heights of the other set, this CD features some typically extraordinary solos and interplay from these musicians. Highlights include Peterson's "Wheatland," the blues "For Count" (which is referred to in the liner notes as "Miles"), and "The Good Life."

Tracks
. "Wheatland" (Oscar Peterson) – 12:17
. "Wave" (Antonio Carlos Jobim) – 10:46
. "For Count" (Peterson) – 6:49
. "The Good Life" (Sacha Distel, Jack Reardon) – 7:12
. "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" (Burton Lane, Alan Jay Lerner) – 7:44

Personnel
* Oscar Peterson – piano
* Joe Pass – guitar
* Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen – double bass

 sample & buy: Good Life 

 

Oscar Peterson - With Respect To Nat (1965)

Oscar Peterson - With Respect To Nat (1965)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 270MB

Verve by Request 557 486-2

Allmusic:
This album is quite unusual. Recorded shortly after Nat King Cole's death, pianist Oscar Peterson takes vocals on all but one of the dozen selections, sounding almost exactly like Cole. Peterson, who rarely ever sang, is very effective on the well-rounded program, whether being backed by a big band (arranged by Manny Albam) on half of the selections or re-creating both the spirit of the Nat King Cole Trio and his own group of the late '50s during a reunion with guitarist Herb Ellis and bassist Ray Brown.

Tracks
1. "When My Sugar Walks Down the Street" (Gene Austin, Jimmy McHugh, Irving Mills) – 2:18
2. "It's Only a Paper Moon" (Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg, Billy Rose) – 2:29
3. "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" (Fred E. Ahlert, Roy Turk) – 2:31
4. "Sweet Lorraine" (Cliff Burwell, Mitchell Parish) – 3:31
5. "Unforgettable" (Irving Gordon) – 2:37
6. "Little Girl" (Francis Henry, Matt Hyde) – 2:35
7. "Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You" (Andy Razaf, Don Redman) – 2:56
8. "Orange Colored Sky" (Milton DeLugg, William Stein) – 2:12
9. "Straighten Up and Fly Right" (Nat King Cole, Irving Mills) – 2:25
10. "Calypso Blues" (Clifford Carmen, Cole, Don George) – 3:34
11. "What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry?" (Walter Donaldson, Abe Lyman) – 2:39
12. "Easy Listening Blues" (Nadine Robinson) – 3:23

Personnel
* Oscar Peterson - piano, vocals
* Hank Jones - piano
* Ray Brown - double bass
* Richard Davis - double bass
* Herb Ellis - guitar
* Barry Galbraith - guitar
* Mel Lewis - drums
* Wayne Andre - trombone
* Jimmy Cleveland - trombone
* J. J. Johnson - trombone
* Tony Studd - bass trombone
* Seldon Powell - alto flute, tenor flute
* Jerome Richardson - bass flute, tenor flute
* John Frosk - trumpet
* Joe Newman - trumpet
* Ernie Royal - trumpet, flugelhorn
* Danny Stiles - trumpet, flugelhorn
* Phil Woods - alto saxophone
* Manny Albam - arranger, conductor

 sample & buy: With Respect to Nat 

 

Oscar Peterson - The London Concert (1978)

Oscar Peterson - The London Concert (1978)

jazz | 2cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 535MB

Pablo 2CD 2620-111

Allmusic:
This two-CD set, which reissues a Pablo two-LP release, features pianist Oscar Peterson in a strong and supportive trio with bassist John Heard and drummer Louis Bellson. Although his sidemen get some solo space, the focus is primarily on the remarkable pianist on a variety of standards, his own "Hogtown Blues" and a six-song Duke Ellington medley. Whether it be on rapid stomps or sensitive ballads, this trio (which was in reality an all-star pickup group) sounds as if they had worked together regularly for years.

Tracks
1. "It's a Wonderful World" (Harold Adamson, Jan Savitt, Johnny Watson) – 5:33
2. "People" (Bob Merrill, Jule Styne) – 8:02
3. "Ain't Misbehavin'" (Harry Brooks, Andy Razaf, Fats Waller) – 5:07
4. "Jitterbug Waltz" (Richard Maltby, Jr., Waller) – 5:40
5. "Pennies from Heaven" (Johnny Burke, Arthur Johnston) – 8:58
6. "I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes)" (Hoagy Carmichael, Jane Brown Thompson) – 7:12
7. "Sweet Georgia Brown" (Ben Bernie, Kenneth Casey, Maceo Pinkard) – 7:51
cd2
1. "Falling in Love With Love" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 6:51
2. "Hogtown Blues" (Oscar Peterson) – 8:03
3. "Emily" (Johnny Mandel, Johnny Mercer) – 6:42
4. "Satin Doll" (Duke Ellington, Mercer, Billy Strayhorn) – 5:23
5. "Duke Ellington Medley: "I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good)"/"Do Nothing till You Hear from Me"/"C Jam Blues" – 9:30
13. "Cute" (Neal Hefti) – 8:12

Personnel
* Oscar Peterson – piano
* John Heard – double bass
* Louie Bellson – drum kit

 sample & buy: London Concert 

 

Oscar Peterson - The Paris Concert (1978)

Oscar Peterson - The Paris Concert (1978)

jazz | 2cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 535MB

Pablo 2PACD 2620-112

Allmusic:
Pianist Oscar Peterson made so many recordings for Norman Granz's Pablo label (and was so consistent) that while all of his records are recommended, it is difficult to pick out any one as the definitive or essential release. This two-CD set (a straight reissue of the original two-LP release) features Peterson with an all-star trio, a unit comprised of guitarist Joe Pass and bassist Niels Pedersen. Just 16 days later Peterson would record The London Concert with a different trio. This time around he mostly sticks to standards but includes three songs associated with Benny Goodman (including the riff-filled "Benny's Bugle"), features Pass (who contributed his original "Gentle Tears") unaccompanied on "Lover Man" and really romps with his fellow virtuosoes on such numbers as "Ornithology," "Donna Lee" and "Sweet Georgia Brown."

Tracks
cd1
-1. "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" (Sidney Clare, Sam H. Stept) – 6:54
-2. "Who Can I Turn To?" (Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley) – 8:09
-3. "Benny's Bugle" (Benny Goodman) – 6:09
-4. "Soft Winds" (Goodman, Fletcher Henderson) – 8:26
-5. "Goodbye" (Gordon Jenkins) – 6:19
-6. "Place St. Henri" (Oscar Peterson) – 5:01
cd2
-1. Medley: "Manha de Carnaval"/"If" (Luiz Bonfá)/(David Gates) – 9:33
-2. "Ornithology" (Benny Harris, Charlie Parker) – 4:46
-3. "Blue Lou" (Irving Mills, Edgar Sampson) – 3:28
-4. "How Long Has This Been Going On?" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 5:10
-5. "Gentle Tears" (Joe Pass) – 6:33
-6. "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be?)" (J Davis, Roger ("Ram") Ramirez, J Sherman) – 5:04
-7. "Samba de Orfeu" (Bonfá, Antônio Maria) – 4:36
-8. "Donna Lee" (Miles Davis) – 2:45
-9. "Sweet Georgia Brown" (Ben Bernie, Kenneth Casey, Maceo Pinkard) – 6:24

Personnel
* Oscar Peterson – piano
* Joe Pass – guitar
* Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen – double bass

 sample & buy: Paris Concert 

 

Oscar Peterson - Canadiana Suite (1965)

Oscar Peterson  - Canadiana Suite (1965)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 205MB

LimeLight

Allmusic:
The remarkable pianist Oscar Peterson had never been thought of that much as a composer, making this set of eight of his compositions a bit of a surprise when it was originally released. Now available on CD, Peterson's tribute to his native Canada includes several noteworthy pieces of which "Hogtown Blues" and "Wheatland" are best known. With his 1964 trio (featuring bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen), Peterson swings hard but often with sensitivity throughout the enjoyable set.

Tracks
-1. "Ballad to the East" – 4:08
-2. "Laurentide Waltz" – 5:20
-3. "Place St. Henri" – 3:57
-4. "Hogtown Blues" – 3:40
-5. "Blues of the Prairies" – 4:59
-6. "Wheatland" – 5:30
-7. "March Past" – 3:25
-8. "Land of the Misty Giants" – 4:11
All music composed by Oscar Peterson.

Personnel
* Oscar Peterson – piano
* Ray Brown – double bass
* Ed Thigpen – drums

sample & buy: Canadian Suite

Stan Getz and J.J. Johnson - At The Opera House (1957)

Stan Getz and J.J. Johnson - At The Opera House (1957)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 440MB

Verve

Allmusic:
Whatever Norman Granz was using as a thinking man's energy drink in 1957 when he formulated this Jazz at the Philharmonic all-star band should be bottled and sold to the world. This stroke of genius was manifested in pairing Stan Getz with J.J. Johnson, backing them up with pianist Oscar Peterson's legendary trio including bassist Ray Brown and guitarist Herb Ellis, and adding MJQ drummer Connie Kay to this truly classic jazz sextet. Two JATP concerts done in Chicago (in stereo) and Los Angeles (in mono) comprise this expanded edition CD, with some stretched-out jams, repeat tunes, and extra material. Originally tabbed as an unusual teaming of tenor sax and trombone, the two principals sound well-suited, very compatible in their dynamic levels, and especially congruous when they play together, while Peterson is absolutely supportive so that these two giants of jazz can cut loose. The shorter concert in Chi-Town has the band absolutely on fire from the get-go, burning up the definitive bop flag-waver "Billie's Bounce" over ten minutes of hard-swinging perfection. Neither Getz nor Johnson had ever played the Charlie Parker evergreen before, nor had either of them done "My Funny Valentine," offered here with Getz's lead line as the trombonist follows gently in his footsteps via a midtempo pace. The swing-era standard "Crazy Rhythm" is cranked up very fast, and features a clever harmony from Johnson, while "Blues in the Closet" closes the show with the simplest bop idea turned into a brilliant, long-winded discourse from all the participants. For the L.A. show, the program also starts with "Billie's Bounce," done differently on the harmonic end just for kicks, while "My Funny Valentine" uses a completely different introduction from the horns. Peterson charges up "Crazy Rhythm" as the sax and 'bone play more in sync, while "Blues in the Closet" again closes the set, but is much shorter, faster, and a bit sloppy at the outset. The add-ons include a short (under four-minute) and easygoing feature for Johnson on "Yesterdays" and another brief rendering of the ballad "It Never Entered My Mind," exclusively for the soulful Getz and a more pronounced Ellis. The extraordinary playing by these expert jazzmen elevates this album to legendary status. It is some of their best work (from a pivotal year in modern jazz recording), and a shining example of how professionally Granz could mix and match musicians to form optimal results.

Tracks
-01. "Billie's Bounce" (Charlie Parker) – 9:45
-02. "My Funny Valentine" (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 8:10
-03 ."Crazy Rhythm" (Irving Caesar, Joseph Meyer, Roger Wolfe Kahn) – 7:59
-04. "Blues In the Closet" (Oscar Pettiford) – 9:04
-05. "Billie's Bounce" – 7:57
-06. "My Funny Valentine" – 8:28
-07. "Crazy Rhythm" – 7:47
-08. "Yesterdays" (Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach) – 3:42
-09. "It Never Entered My Mind" (Rodgers, Hart) – 3:52
-10. "Blues In the Closet" – 6:18

Personnel
* Stan Getz – tenor saxophone
* J.J. Johnson – trombone
* Oscar Peterson – piano
* Herb Ellis – guitar
* Ray Brown – double bass
* Connie Kay – drums

sample & buy: At the Opera House

Oscar Peterson and Roy Eldridge (1974) (eac-log-cover)

Oscar Peterson and Roy Eldridge (1974)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 255MB

OJC

Allmusic:
Part of his five sessions that featured duets with different trumpeters, pianist Oscar Peterson's matchup with trumpeter Roy Eldridge (reissued on CD) has its strong moments. Eldridge did not quite have the range of his earlier years, but his competitive streak had not mellowed with age. Peterson pushes Eldridge to his limit and the music is generally quite exciting. Highlights include "Little Jazz," "Sunday," and "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea."

Tracks
-1. "Little Jazz" (Roy Eldridge, Buster Harding) – 4:45
-2. "She's Funny That Way" (Neil Moret, Richard Whiting) – 7:34
-3. "The Way You Look Tonight" (Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern) – 6:22
-4. "Sunday" (Chester Conn, Benny Krueger, Ned Miller, Jule Styne) – 5:48
-5. "Bad Hat Blues" (Eldridge, Oscar Peterson) – 7:34
-6. "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" (Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler) – 5:16
-7. "Blues for Chu" (Eldridge, Peterson) – 5:46

Personnel
* Roy Eldridge – trumpet
* Oscar Peterson – piano

sample & buy: Oscar Peterson & Roy Eldridge

Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, Ray Brown - The Giants (1974) (eac-log-cover)

Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, Ray Brown - The Giants (1974)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 250MB

OJC

Allmusic:
The title of this LP certainly fits the players. Pianist Oscar Peterson (who switches to organ on two of the eight selections), guitarist Joe Pass and bassist Ray Brown would each be on literally dozens of recordings for Norman Granz's Pablo label; all are worth acquiring by fans of straightahead jazz. This particular set has three Peterson originals (including one called "Jobim"), a few veteran standards and Quincy Jones's "Eyes of Love."

Tracks
-1. "Riff Blues" (Oscar Peterson) – 4:24
-2. "Who Cares?" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 6:29
-3. "Jobim" (Joe Pass, Peterson) – 6:29
-4. "Blues for Dennis" (Peterson) – 5:31
-5. "Sunny" (Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach, Jerome Kern) – 4:49
-6. "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" (George Bassman, Ned Washington) – 7:22
-7. "Caravan" (Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol) – 6:34
-8. "Eyes of Love" (Quincy Jones, Bob Russell) – 6:53

Personnel
* Oscar Peterson – piano
* Joe Pass – guitar
* Ray Brown - double bass

Sample & Buy: The Giants

Oscar Peterson - We Get Requests (1964) (K2HD) (eac-log-cover)

Oscar Peterson - We Get Requests (1964)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 490MB

Verve | K2HD 24-bit remaster

Allmusic:
Pianist Oscar Peterson has long been such a consistent performer that none of his records are throwaways, but this particular CD reissue is weaker than most. Since several of the songs are the type that in the mid-'60s would get requested (such as "People," "The Girl from Ipanema," and "The Days of Wine and Roses"), the program would not seem to have much potential, but Peterson mostly uplifts the material (although not much could be done with "People") and adds a few songs (such as his own "Goodbye, J.D." and John Lewis' "D & E") that probably no one asked for. Overall, this is an average although reasonably enjoyable Oscar Peterson session, featuring bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen.

Tracks:
-01. "You Look Good to Me" (Seymour Lefco, Clement Wells) – 4:50
-02. "Time and Again" (Noël Coward) – 4:38
-03. "My One and Only Love" (Robert Mellin, Guy Wood) – 5:08
-04. "Corcovado" (Antonio Carlos Jobim) – 2:50
-02. "The Day of Wine and Roses" (Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer) – 2:41
-06. "People" (Bob Merrill, Jule Styne) – 3:30
-07. "Have You Met Miss Jones?" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 4:11
-08. "The Girl from Ipanema" (Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Norman Gimbel) – 3:51
-09. "D & E" (John Lewis) – 5:11
-10. "Goodbye J.D." (Oscar Peterson) – 2:59

Personnel:
* Oscar Peterson - piano
* Ray Brown - double bass
* Ed Thigpen - drums

sample & buy: We Get Requests (K2HD mastering)