Artist - Oscar Peterson
Album - Tracks
Label - Verve
Year - February 27, 28, 1964,
Release - 1964
Quality - MP3@320kb/s
Size - 99.3 mb (in RAR with pass)
Total time - 32:18
1. "The Strut" (Oscar Peterson) – 4:05
2. "Let's Fall in Love" (Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler) – 4:41
3. "Satin Doll" (Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn) – 5:19
4. "Little Right Foot" (Traditional) – 4:53
5. "Fly Me to the Moon" (Bart Howard) – 4:17
6. "Lil' Darlin'" (Neal Hefti) – 3:09
7. "This Nearly Was Mine" (Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers) – 4:15
8. "Shiny Stockings" (Frank Foster) – 4:05
9. "You Stepped Out of a Dream" (Nacio Herb Brown, Gus Kahn) – 3:05
Here is one of the most brilliant jazz trio albums ever recorded.
Peterson is playing with his regular trio with Ray Brown into a perfect double-bass contrapuntal melody of the piano and Ed Thigpen who plays a fine rhythm partition in total accordance with the double-bass. Contrarily to it, the drums doesn't play that much solo and may appear slightly off the 2 other instruments.
Most of the time, the piano plays the melody and most of the improvisations while the double-bass plays a melodic tempo with short solos, and the drums, the rhythm including some breaks.
"The Strut" is the only one track composed by Oscar who plays the main theme only with chords seconded by a loud and melodic double-bass. It plays solo between a group of chords which gives a feeling of power. As in most of his improvisations Peterson plays virtuoso all kinds of up and down scales.
"Fly Me to the Moon" shows a very flamboyant piano playing in a upbeat tempo. It's an outstanding version.
"Let's Fall in Love" is the track in which the double-bass plays the longest and the finest solo and it's quite exciting.
"Satin Doll" gives another opportunity to the piano and double-bass the share the main theme.
"Little Darling", the famous Neal Hefti popularized by Count Basie is also interesting even if it's not as strong as the other classics here.
"This Nearly Was Mine" is a delicate and romantic ballad" while "Shiny Stocking" takes us back into the fast and dynamic tempos which make you want to dance.
Finally, the closing track "You Stepped Out of a Dream" brings us a sweet Latin touch.
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Artist - Oscar Peterson
Album - Tracks
Label - MPS
Year - 1972, release - 2002
Quality - MP3@320kb/s
Size - 154 mb (in RAR with pass)
Total time - 42:02 min
1. Yesterdays Otto Harbach/Jerome Kern Oscar Peterson 3:44
2. Makin' Whoopee Walter Donaldson/Gus Kahn Oscar Peterson 3:57
3. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me) Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley Oscar Peterson 4:45
4. Take the "A" Train Billy Strayhorn Oscar Peterson 3:11
5. Body and Soul Frank Eyton/Johnny Green/Edward Heyman/Robert Sour Oscar Peterson 4:38
6. Blues of the Prairies Oscar Peterson 5:03
7. Corcovado Antonio Carlos Jobim Oscar Peterson 4:26
8. Blues Etude Oscar Peterson 5:11
9. Autumn Leaves Joseph Kosma/Johnny Mercer/Jacques Prevert Oscar Peterson 4:24
10. Here's That Rainy Day Johnny Burke/James Van Heusen Oscar Peterson 5:59
11. Sweet Georgia Brown Ben Bernie/Kenneth Casey/Maceo Pinkard Oscar Peterson 4:32
12. Satin Doll Duke Ellington/Johnny Mercer/Billy Strayhorn Oscar Peterson 5:41
13. Mirage Oscar Peterson 6:16
14. Hogtown Blues Oscar Peterson 5:44
Two previously unreleased 1972 solo concerts are compiled on this Oscar Peterson CD. The first, recorded in Lebanon, sounds as if it may have been recorded for broadcast. While the condition of the instrument provided for him is not quite up to par, Peterson, like his mentor Art Tatum, quickly sizes up the capabilities and limitations of this piano and makes the most of it with a stunning interpretation of "Yesterdays," followed by a romping stride through "Makin' Whoopee." "Take the 'A' Train," "Blues of the Prairies" (from Canadiana Suite), and "Body and Soul" are also worth comparing to other renditions recorded by this giant of the jazz piano. Fortunately, Peterson has a better instrument on hand for his Amsterdam performance. Although the hall seems to have a bit of a cavernous sound to it, the pianist isn't distracted in the least. His blazing takes of "Autumn Leaves" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" are breathtaking, while a delicate "Here's That Rainy Day" is garnished with occasional intricate runs. Perhaps the most enjoyable tracks of the latter set are Peterson's two originals. "Mirage," recorded in 1975 for the album Oscar Peterson et Joe Pass a la Salle Pleyel, is much more understated on this disc; likewise, this version of "Hogtown Blues" is light years apart from the original studio version (from Canadiana Suite). Fans of this jazz legend will want to add this thoroughly enjoyable CD to their collections.
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Artist - Oscar Peterson
Album - Tracks
Label - MPS
Year - 1970, release - 1993
Quality - MP3@320kb/s
Size - 100 mb (in RAR with pass)
Total time - 42:02
1. "Give Me the Simple Life" (Ralph Bloom, Harry Ruby) – 3:59
2. "Basin Street Blues" (Spencer Williams) – 4:14
3. "Honeysuckle Rose" (Andy Razaf, Fats Waller) – 3:05
4. "Dancing on the Ceiling" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 5:07
5. "A Child Is Born" (Thad Jones) – 2:35
6. "If I Should Lose You" (Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin) – 5:19
7. "A Little Jazz Exercise" (Oscar Peterson) – 2:43
8. "Django" (John Lewis) – 5:16
9. "Ja-Da" (Bob Carlton) – 4:17
10. "Just a Gigolo" (Julius Brammer, Irving Caesar, Leonello Casucci) – 5:27
Solo performer: Oscar Peterson (piano).
Reissue producers: Christian Kellersmann, Jorg Eipasch.
Recorded at MPS Studio, Villingen, Germany in November, 1970. Originally released on MPS (15.306). Includes liner notes by Jorg Eipasch.
Oscar Peterson has a gargantuan discography in which he is well represented in all kinds of ensembles. But his solo outings are among his very finest. Though his group efforts show his playing at a consistent level of virtuosity and reveal his ability to adapt to any style or context, Peterson truly shines when free of the constraints of group interplay. His tempos fluctuate, his approach to phrasing is more fluid and free, and he is more likely to draw on his stunning command of styles (including stride, advanced bop, tender lyricism, and swing), mixing and matching at will, often within the same song.
The set list for TRACKS includes old-school romps ("Basin Street Blues"), exquisite balladry ("A Child is Born"), popular songs ("Just a Gigolo"), and dazzling exercises in sheer technical ability ("A Little Jazz Exercise"). TRACKS is a document of a man utterly conversant with the language of his instrument, and is one of the most impressive examples of what Oscar Peterson does best.
Pianist Oscar Peterson is frequently astounding on this solo set. After nearly 20 years of mostly performing with trios, Peterson sounds quite liberated in this setting, throwing in some hot stride, unexpected changes in tempos and keys, and surprises whenever he thinks of them. "Give Me the Simple Life," "Honeysuckle Rose," and the ironically titled "A Little Jazz Exercise" are quite remarkable, yet Peterson also leaves space for some sensitive ballads.
by Scott Yanow
Courtesy All Music
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