Oscar Peterson Albums (125)
'Oscar Peterson Plays the Jerome Kern Songbook'
Release Date 6/9/2009
Tracks 12
Label Verve
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Encore at the Blue Note'
Release Date 4/28/2009
Tracks 8
Label Telarc
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What The Critics Say
The fourth CD taken from a reunion engagement at the Blue Note by pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Bobby Durham, this set is up to the same level as the other three. The Oscar Peterson Trio of the late '50s (along with Peterson's drummer of a decade later) jam through five standards (including a heated "Falling in Love with Love") and four of Peterson's originals, highlighted by a medley of his "Goodbye Old Girl" and "He Has Gone." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The Count Basie/Oscar Peterson set was a sheer classic -- very possibly the most completely-stimulating and totally-swinging jazz LP to come along this decade ('70s). Start with the beautifully balanced rhythm section. Bassist Ray Brown put a firm, unwavering bottom under everything. Drummer Louis Bellson hadn't been so well captured in years. His touch combined the light subtlety of Jo Jones with the charging bite of Buddy Rich. Topping it all off and keeping everyone firmly together, was guitarist Fred Green, who put a rapier sharp cutting edge on Brown's rich, rock-solid pulse. "Jumpin' At The Woodside" never sounded so intense. Each played a chorus and then traded fours. And more thrilling fours there've never been. Basie laid down four bars of spare, bare-boned logic. And Peterson came soaring out of his last notes in a swirl of expansive flight. Even more thrilling were the moments of collective improvisation. "Woodside," "RB Burning" and "Lester Leaps In" contain sustained intervals that were among the most electrifying ever produced by two jazz musicians. ~ John Mcdonough, Downbeat, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Oscar Peterson developed a friendship with Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer, who proceeded to record the pianist in his first-rate studio beginning in the early '60s, even though Peterson was under an exclusive contract to Verve at the time. The solution to this problem was to wait until after it expired, and then a number of these sessions were released on various BASF or MPS LPs (and later on Pausa LP reissues). Action represents some of Peterson's earliest work for Brunner-Schwer; these sessions were recorded before an invited audience in the studio, with the pianist's working trio of Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen. The group seems extremely relaxed and inspired by the small group of loyal fans, with a brisk waltz treatment of "At Long Last Love" and an extended workout of fellow pianist Billy Taylor's ballad "Easy Walker" starting things off with a flourish. Their approach to "Tin Tin Deo" is remarkably subtle, while Peterson is at his most lyrical during a pair of Gershwin selections, "I've Got a Crush on You" and "A Foggy Day." The influence of Art Tatum is apparent with Peterson's darting runs in "Like Someone in Love." Out of print for a time following the demise of the reissue label Pausa, the complete album was included in the 1992 Verve CD box set compilation Exclusively for My Friends. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Last Trio: Oscar Peterson in Tokyo'
Release Date 12/21/2005
Tracks 10
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
One of a handful of recordings that Oscar Peterson made for release exclusively in Japan, Last Trio: Oscar Peterson in Tokyo is a rare opportunity to hear the pianist with fellow Canadian Michel Donato on bass, plus Louis Hayes on drums. Peterson is the center of attention with his rhythm section mostly in a supporting role, seemingly as if they had not worked together extensively prior to playing at The Palace Hotel in Tokyo. Hayes had already recorded several albums with the pianist for MPS, though this seems to be one of only two recordings featuring Donato (the other being the obscure Australian CD Nightingale). Peterson does not disappoint, delivering a number of terrific performances, including a blazing "Strike Up the Band" a soulful if breezy take of Horace Silver's "The Preacher," and lyrical treatments of "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" and his own "Wheatland." While this trio lacks the potential of groups that featured either Ray Brown or Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, it will please Peterson's fans. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Oscar Peterson's series of recordings for Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer during the 1960s and early '70s are one of many high points in his long career. With George "Jiri" Mraz on bass and Ray Price on drums, Peterson's flashy romp through "I Love You" (complete with a humorous detour into the opera "Pagliacci") and mid-tempo walk through "All of You" salute Cole Porter in style on Walking the Line. "Rock of Ages" isn't the old hymn but a lively, gospel-inflected Peterson original that will easily get any congregation swinging and swaying to the music. His mastery of the ballad form is heard in his sensitive interpretation of "Once Upon a Summertime," which showcases Mraz's gorgeous tone, as Price sits out this one. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Good '70 session from pianist Oscar Peterson, arguably the most recorded mainstream stylist ever. He's made so many albums over the years, with a great deal sounding similar, that while they're never bad, sometimes they're for keyboard freaks only. That's something of the case here, although Peterson spins some fabulous solos. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Oscar Peterson's trio with Ray Brown and Herb Ellis lasted from 1953 to 1959 and is well documented on records, but the appearance in 2003 of this previously unreleased 1958 concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver is welcome news to the pianist's fans. Buoyed by a receptive audience and always in the mood to play to the best of their abilities, the musicians outdo themselves throughout the set. Among the highlights are lengthy explorations of "How High the Moon" (which is centered around Brown's tasty solo) and Peterson's "The Music Box Suite," cooking interpretations of a pair of the late Clifford Brown's best-known compositions ("Joy Spring" and "Daahoud"), and a pair of little-known originals by Ellis (including a lovely solo ballad, "Patricia," and the blistering "Pogo"). Add it all up and any fan of Oscar Peterson will want to add this Just a Memory CD to his or her collection. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
