Artist: Stan Getz, The Oscar Peterson Trio, Oscar Peterson

Getz and Oscar - fabulous!, 2008-03-06
It's hard to think of anyone who has a tone quite like Stan Getz: breathy yet rich, cool yet passionate, he was unique. Famous for his wonderful bossa nova recordings, he also made some great music with other jazz masters. This album with the Oscar Peterson Trio is particularly fine. Getz's warm, lyrical tone caresses a collection of great tunes with admirable collaboration from one of the finest trios of all time. The lack of a drummer allows an intimate, relaxed feeling to the proceedings, and the results are seriously enjoyable. Highlights include a swinging "Pennies From Heaven" and beautiful ballad work on "Detour Ahead" and "I'm Glad There Is You". All Getz fans and jazz lovers should investigate this CD without delay.

Artist: The Oscar Peterson Trio

Wonderfully fantastic!, 2008-06-19
We Get Requests is a 'Diet' version of Oscar Peterson. The majority of his albums 'wow' the listener and, sometimes, they are left unconnected and overwhelmed when swamped by Oscar's furious techical ability. Not in this album, however.

If you are new to the world of Oscar Peterson, or perhaps feel as though you would like to explore a different, more sensitive side to his playing then this album is perfect for you. In all the tracks Oscar is contained. He never shifts into a high gear. He seems somewhat limited. But this is all to good effect.

The album is addictve: it is so easy to listen to. The Trio is performing as a unit to the highest of levels. Brown and Thigpen are so tight in the background that they take Peterson's piano to a new dimension. It is unusual, especially for Oscar, that he doesn't explore the piano AT ALL - his left hand provides a chordal accompaniment and his right hand remains in the upper octaves of the piano, but this only increases the 'catchiness' and lightness of the pieces.

Quiet Night of Quiet Stars* is a tremendous start to the album - I personally think Peterson is at his best with Latin/Bossa Nova pieces, and this is proved with his light, yet so effective, playing on The Girl from Ipanema. You Look Good to Me is another delicate yet poignant piece - it demonstrates the Trio's teamwork brilliantly. The album is full of delights and is applicable for all scenarios: background music, personal listening etc.

Overall this is a well crafted and sensitive album. Although Peterson is restrained throughout and rarely demonstrates his full ability he plays for the listener and provides them with a feast of musical enjoyment. An album to acquire at all costs.

*A transcription of 'Quiet Night of Quiet Stars (Corcavado)' from this album is availible in the book 'Oscar Peterson Trios' by Hal Leonard.

Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio

This 1962 recording represents Oscar Peterson at his most commercially accommodating, yet his trio with Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen never fails to swing. The program includes such familiar melodies as the title track (which began life as Duke Ellington's "Happy Go Lucky Local"), "Georgia on My Mind", and "The Honey Dripper". With the notable exception of the gospel-like original "Hymn to Freedom", most of the tracks clock in at around three minutes. This reissue contains several alternate takes that were wisely left off the original LP, including such unlikely jazz vehicles as "Volare" and "My Heart Belongs to Daddy". --Rick Mitchell
DON'T HESITATE!, 2009-08-30
This is an excellent CD. Absolutely nothing to fault about it. Buy it! Perfect for both dinner party background music or for focused listening to appreciate the musicianship and subtlety of playing.

Artist: The Oscar Peterson Trio, Clark Terry

A superb album!, 2009-06-02
This album epitomises what I love so much about the Oscar Peterson Trio, with the formidable Ray Brown on bass and the ever-so-solid Ed Thigpen on drums. The rhythm section is so tight and swings like I've never heard it before...and I've listened to alot of Oscar Peterson albums. The addition of Clark Terry is a refreshing sound and reveals a new edge to the dynamic of the trio. It is a relatively short album, but it is most certainly a joy from start to finish.

On first hearing, I can guarantee that you will love the dirty 'bluesyness' of tunes such as 'Brotherhood of Man' but will also hear the joys of the more restrained, yet still energetic, 'Mack the Knife'. Oscar Peterson is soloing at his finest on this album, and although I am not a huge fan of his rather busy 'comping' style, it works well with the rhythmic playing of Clark Terry, of whose music I was not familiar with before this album, but a musician I have now taken an interest to.

To be honest, there are very few flaws. Although if you are somebody who only considers jazz to be a display of harmonic depth and skill then I might advise you to steer slightly clear, as this album (although Peterson does offer some beautifully melodic and harmonic lines, especially in the two ballads) is primarily a display of rhythmic ability and the love of the blues between the musicians.

In addition, I am not a huge fan of Terry's 'vocals', but I am sure his humerous approach will entertain many listeners. He works well with the Oscar Peterson Trio, who cannot be faulted here as Oscar is most certainly Oscar, Ray is definitely Ray and Ed is actually a more exposed and free version of Ed on this album, which is a nice change from the rather restrained role he takes in the majority of Peterson's albums. The album cover itself is one of the most stylish I've ever come across, and the bonus that Oscar Peterson himself has written the liner notes is a nice touch.

This album is must have for the swinging, moving and grooving jazzers out there, and I can guarantee you will not stop tapping every part of your body in time to the boundless energy and excitment of the sound of the Oscar Peterson Trio + One Clark Terry. It reminds you of how music should be played - stop reading and get buying!

Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio, Milt Jackson

A great Jazz Album, 2007-02-09
This is a Jazz album that everyone should have in their collection. The Oscar Peterson Trio is joined Milt Jackson and what a beautiful album they create together.

Recorded in 1961 the album starts with On Green Dolphin Street. This is mellow and laid back for a while and then changes gear to swing. Perhaps the most noticeable thing about this track is Peterson's very restrained and delicate Piano solo. Even when the solo reaches the swing section there aren't the torrents of notes that you might expect. This is Oscar Peterson showing a different facet to his great talent.

Of course part of the reason for Petersons restraint on the first track maybe because a couple of the other tracks are absolute barnstormers. In particular Work Song and Reunion Blues swing like hell. Milt Jackson plays with a fire that, to me, was sometimes missing from his work with the MJQ. Listen on these tracks for Ed Thigpens great drumming. He really hits some great accents when you really don't expect them - and they work! Combine his work with the relentless Ray Browns bass and you have a swinging backdrop that could make much lesser musicians sound good.

Sadly only Oscar Peterson survives from this marvellous quartet at the time of writing. This disc captures them all at the height of their abilities and is an essential purchase.

Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio

Fabulous, 2008-05-03
This is a superb re-issue of an already good original album. This CD re-issue has five extra tracks over the original album tracks. At this stage of his career (1961) Oscar Peterson was at effortless peak that he maintained for an incredibly longtime (basically the 1950's to the mid 1980's.

This is best represented by 'Chicago'. Starting with an inspired introduction which keeps you guessing what the tune will be, followed by a gradual change up through the gears until at 7:13 top gear is reached and the band are absolutely swinging. Now Oscar is really flying, bits of stride Piano, double handed parts that require virtuoso technique... This is an astounding performance that everybody should have in their Jazz Piano collection.

Of the new tracks my favourite is Ray Brown's Gravy Waltz. In truth of course there are no poor tracks and its very subjective as to which you'll like.

The CD is very well packaged with interesting new sleeve notes, as well the original LP notes. Unlike the previous reviewer I would say, whilst the remastered sound is pretty good, the limitations of a club recording from 1961 are clearly evident (chinking of cutlery/glasses etc) on the quieter tracks. However this should not stop from purchasing a fabulous album.

Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio, Milt Jackson, Milt Jackson

It seemed throughout his long career that vibraphonist Milt Jackson was incapable of making a bad record. On this occasion in 1961 he met the Oscar Peterson Trio at the top of its form. The result is obvious--a monumentally successful album. The contrast between the sparse and beautifully timed sounds of the vibraphone and Peterson's technically eloquent piano playing inspires the two men to ever greater heights and the culmination is in the long "Reunion Blues", a rolling fast number that brings out some earthy improvising. This is in contrast to the beautiful ballad performances, with both men investigating "Green Dolphin Street" in particular with great taste. Nat Adderley's jazz hit "Work Song" and "John Brown's Body" both exploit the funky side of jazz and the mix of tunes makes for a well-balanced and meaty session. This was the first Peterson trio to dispense with the guitar, and its absence highlights the delicate and instinctive playing of bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen who leave one in no doubt that this was the best trio Peterson ever had. --Steve Voce
Brilliant!, 2007-02-09
This is a Jazz album that everyone should have in their collection. The Oscar Peterson Trio is joined Milt Jackson and what a beautiful album they create together.

Recorded in 1961 the album starts with On Green Dolphin Street. This is mellow and laid back for a while and then changes gear to swing. Perhaps the most noticeable thing about this track is Peterson's very restrained and delicate Piano solo. Even when the solo reaches the swing section there aren't the torrents of notes that you might expect. This is Oscar Peterson showing a different facet to his great talent.

Of course part of the reason for Petersons restraint on the first track maybe because a couple of the other tracks are absolute barnstormers. In particular Work Song and Reunion Blues swing like hell. Milt Jackson plays with a fire that, to me, was sometimes missing from his work with the MJQ. Listen on these tracks for Ed Thigpens great drumming. He really hits some great accents when you really don't expect them - and they work! Combine his work with the relentless Ray Browns bass and you have a swinging backdrop that could make much lesser musicians sound good.

Sadly only Oscar Peterson survives from this marvellous quartet at the time of writing. This disc captures them all at the height of their abilities and is an essential purchase.

Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio

Recorded in 1956 and adding two bonus tracks to the original issue, At The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is one of Oscar Peterson's most celebrated CDs. A definitive set of performances by the pianist's first great trio, with guitarist Herb Ellis and bassist Ray Brown, it abounds no less in melodic harmonic invention than in power. Almost every track is a masterpiece, but particular mention must be made of "How About You", at once electrifying and light-footed, "Swingin' on a Star" (as witty as blistering) and, perhaps especially, the slow-burning, eventually tumultuous "Love You Madly". -- Richard Palmer
Oscar's Best Recording, 2009-08-15

Oscar Peterson said that he thought that the trio was very relaxed during this performance, and as a result, this recording was probably the best they had made to date.
Listening to the CD, I can wholeheartedly agree with him, the drive from Ray Brown and Herb Ellis is first class and their solos match those of Oscar himself,
At truly great CD !

Artist: Sonny Stitt with Oscar Peterson Trio

Artist: Lester Young, The Oscar Peterson Trio

pres and oscar - a combination made in Granz's heaven, 2009-11-05
Norman Granz made a habit of putting unlikely combinations of artists together. He often used Peterson in his early JATP days as almost the "house" rhythm section. This is one of those collaborations and it works perfectly with Young flitting in that transitory mainstream to post bop style that is almost impossible to categorise. He is lyrical where appropriate, powerful where appropriate, and always bluesy. A delightful "I can't get started", a super "On the sunny side of the street" where he breathes new life into the hackneyed old warhorse and a number of other class performances. Peterson is superb throughout, this is full of great melodies and blowing - and a slightly vulgar "Tea for Two" in which we have that unique event - Pres singing!! go buy