Oscar Peterson

Ok Liam.
But..............which album?

Ops!
Did not read between the lines!

Hi Liam,

We get requests is a great album.

If you like it I think you will also like

Night Train


and
Ben Webster meet Oscar Peterson

.

These are 2 exceptional albums.

I'm sure you will get loads more recommendations as there are quite a few Peterson fans here.

Enjoy


SJB

Another one of my favorites is "The Trio" on Verve (from Live at the London House sessions)--excellent live Peterson where he really stretches out. Get the remastered version in the paper case. If you really get hooked on OP (who isn't) spring for the magnificant 4 volume set on MPS called Exclusively For My Friends. I feel that is his OP at his best and the sound is just fantastic (mid 60's from German studio in Bavaria before a small live audience). Avoid the late 90's and beyond--he's just not the same following his unfortunate stroke a few years ago.

As has been mentioned 'Ben Webster meets Oscar Peterson' is an outstanding album (and the finest of the various 'meets Oscar Peterson' records) and one of my favourite jazz albums. I'm also very fond of 'Oscar Peterson plays the George Gershwin song book' (not least for their wonderful version of 'It ain't necessarily so').

regards, Tam

In addition to those mentioned already these are also excellent.

Tristeza on Piano


Stan Getz and The Oscar Peterson Tio


Live in Russia - Double LP/CD

Regards

Nic

There is a series of six CD's under the group title of "Exclusively for my friends" that have been re-released on SACD / CD's as follows:
ACTION



GIRL TALK



THE WAY I REALLY PLAY



MY FAVORITE INSTRUMENT



MELLOW MOOD



TRAVELIN'ON



They were all recorded by Hans Georg Brunner in his own front room. I bought them all and find they are excellent as CD's on the CDS3. They are all also beautifull examples of Peterson improvising and building moods without any pressure to keep track length short in a way he does'nt seem to on any structured studio albums. Georgous and all worth having.

The icing on the cake is this one on LP which was also recorded there:"
THE LOST TAPES



A feast

Geoff

These are the recordings I was referring to that are gathered in the Exclusively for My Friends 4 CD set is available very cheaply (used) at various sources. I have not heard the SACD versions pictured above(they are non-hybrid CDs and I can't play them) , but they would have to be fantastic to better the sound of the standard set. The individual SACDs would be a very pricey way get this great music

quote:

These are the recordings I was referring to that are gathered in the Exclusively for My Friends 4 CD set is available very cheaply (used) at various sources.......but they would have to be fantastic to better the sound of the standard set. The individual SACDs would be a very pricey way get this great music

Oldnslow... they were'nt pricey where I got them. They cost the same as normal CD's. The fact that there are 6 suggests more tracks in total than the 4 CD set you refer to.

quote:

.... I have not heard the SACD versions pictured above(they are non-hybrid CDs and I can't play them).....

Er... not true. They are hybrid SACD/CD's and as I said the CD layer plays and sounds fine in the CDS3.

regards
Geoff

I stand corrected as to whether they are hybrid CDs. But I believe the SACD discs simply replicate the content of the original LPs (which I had and wore out!), whereas the 4 CD set Exclusively For My Friends has all 6 LPs spread over 4 CDs. Hope that helps. Oh yes, the Tristezza CD is wonderful too and also recorded in Bavaria by Hans Bruner-Schwab, as is the Lost Tapes CD. Great stuff. The knock on OP was that he could tend to be glib, but nobody combined his level of blues based swing and technique, and these CDs capture him at his best. Some of the Verves are wonderful too, of course, but have nowhere near the quality of recording of these German sessions.

If you like the Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer treatment, you may also like these that were remastered and re-released to celebrate Oscar's 80th birthday. The new remastering was supervised by the original producer. Very reasonable price on Amazon.

Regards

Nic

yes, and they also recently reissued The Great Connection, with OP in a trio with Niels Orsted Pedersen on bass. I have heard some of these later Brunner-Schwab (or however you spell it) recordings, but in my opinion none equal the 6 that were issued from the original sessions at Villingen in Bavaria.

One final note on these recordings. The original release was "The Way I Really Play". I still recall the shock of hearing OP on the lengthy opening cut "Waltzing is Hip/Satin Doll". The most unbelievable extended deep swing I have every heard from a piano trio. That album set the stage for the whole series of recordings, and to me it remains the best of the whole series. A new listener wish to pick that volume up first, though I guarantee you will be hooked and want all 6--that's why I suggest perhaps getting the Exclusively for my Friends set

Also worth checking out are some of Billie Holiday's later recordings where OP played piano.

Thanks for all the replys so far, gonna cost me a small fortune by the sounds of it.
I have ordered NIGHT TRAIN and STAN GETZ AND THE OSCAR PETERSON TRIO.
thanks again.

liam

Liam,

Both excellent choices, doubtless more to follow. Night Train was my first ever OP vinyl and remains an oustanding record. Enjoy.

Nic

I have to echo Sloop John B's recommendation of Ben Webster meets...its a great wowlbum.