Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio

Stunning, 2007-09-28
This is one of Oscar Petersons finest albums and an essential purchase for anybody who enjoys great Piano Jazz.

Noteable tracks are his version of Bill Evans 'Waltz for Debby' and 'You are my Hearts delight'. Bill Evans had quite an effect on Petersons playing in the 60's and 70's and of course this is one of Evans finest tunes. 'You are my Hearts Delight' is one of the great Peterson performances. Starting at a slow to moderate tempo it changes gear a number of times until at the end Peterson is playing phenomenal Piano at an extremly fast tempo. This really is the virtuoso Peterson at the very height of his powers.

The rest of the album is just as interesting with perhaps my other favourite being his version of Gillespie's ' Con Alma'. Another Jazz standard that is beautifully played.

You won't be disappointed by this.

Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio

This 1955 Hollywood nightclub recording finds pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Herb Ellis, and bassist Ray Brown in superbly relaxed form. Except for two Peterson originals, the double-disc program consists entirely of standards. The solos are more concise than on later Peterson albums, with no tune lasting more than about six and a half minutes. But what's truly remarkable here is how the three musicians lend rhythmic support to each other while at the same time carrying on a rapid-paced, melodic conversation. Not many bassists can walk and sing at the same time the way Brown does. No way a drummer could have helped this group swing any harder. --Rick Mitchell

Artist: The Oscar Peterson Trio, Herb Ellis

Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio

Stupendous, 2005-09-13
These reissued albums are essential Peterson albums to get. This one recorded in 1970 captures Peterson in fiery form, with Jiri "George" Mraz on Bass and Ray Price on drums. Certainly its not one of Petersons better known trios.

The first track is smoking version of "I Love You" (Cole Porter). This is five minutes of high class playing. Just when you thought it couldn't get any more swinging the second track starts. "Rock Of Ages" is a simple funky blues at heart, but Peterson takes it to places that other pianists wouldn't go - truly unbelievable playing - incredible block chord solos and then just when you think even Peterson hasn't got another gear he finds it, playing double handed single line improvisations.

The cynics will say this is exactly what you should expect from Oscar Peterson, fireworks with no soul. Well the cynics are wrong and there is some lovely ballad playing on the album, noteably on "I didn't Know What Time It Was". Its also on this track that you might notice Georg Brunner-Schwer great Piano sound (which can also be heard on the "Tracks" album made in same year). Its a beautiful Piano sound that is especially noticable on the less frenetic tracks!

Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio

A Jazz Portrait of Frank Sinatra may not be premier division OP, but it is a most attractive and illuminating set. Recorded in Paris in May 1959, it marked drummer Ed Thigpen's Peterson debut--though such is the group's three-in-one empathy that you'd never think so. Three months later they recorded over a hundred titles in the space of a fortnight, the majority a reprise of Peterson's 10-album Songbook series from 1952-4, and the ethos of this precursor is very similar, its accent on beautifully-crafted tributes to the American popular song at its finest. The performances are short but anything but perfunctory: Peterson's arrangements are as distinguished for imagination as appositeness, and they--even more than his glorious pianism--are the key to this portrait's enduring success. Bassist Ray Brown is just awesome, and not even the decidedly modest playing time should stop you adding this to your shopping basket without delay. --Richard Palmer
One of my most loved LP/CDs, 2009-10-03
I bought this album as an LP in the 1960s. We always loved it, the Trio at their best - subtle and lighthearted. The tunes are all very, very well known but given a fresh feel. Whether or not you like Frank Sinatra (which we do) every Oscar Peterson fan should have this CD in their collection. Played it a thousand times and still enjoy it.

Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio

If you like Oscar Peterson, this CD should be in your collection, 2009-02-01
If you are a fan of the late great Oscar Peterson, then this CD is a must. Some truly memorable recordings and the quality is excellent. The playlist speaks for itself.

Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio

Artist: Oscar Trio Peterson

Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio

Artist: The Oscar Peterson Trio

THE Trio again, 2010-03-05
As a long standing Oscar Peterson fan I have bought dozens of his albums over the years. However this was an album that I didn't really feel I needed to own until by chance when reading a review of it, I found out that it was recorded at the same series of concerts from which "The Trio" album came. That is one of the best Oscar Peterson albums ever.

So what you get is Oscar Peterson with Joe Pass and Neils Pederson in 1973 recorded live. The album starts with Peterson's own composition 'Wheatland'. After a 4 minute Piano solo introduction, in which Peterson also plays his own 'Hogtown Blues', Pass and Pederson join in to suppport a classic Peterson solo. Pass then has a short solo after which Peterson blows again before sequeing back to the tune. By the time you reach the end of this tune you realise that you are hearing one of the finest Jazz Trios ever. Peterson in this era was at the absolute zenith of his playing skills, and this trio demonstrates that better than anything except perhaps when he played solo (get "Tracks" to hear this).

The album lists track 3 as "For Count" but Benny Green's sleeve notes refer to "Miles". Whichever is the correct title this is the only blues on the album. However its an absolute belter of a track with sublime playing from all 3 musicians.

If possible I would have given this album 4.5 stars because it isn't quite as good as "The Trio" IMO, but its growing on me fast, and such is the quality of the playing that I had no choice but to give it 5 stars.

Highly recommended.