Search - Oscar Peterson :: 1952, Vol. 2

Oscar on Classics, Vol.6: The saga continues

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 05/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the sixth volume in the Classics series of Oscar Peterson's complete output in chronological order. Included are a couple of sides from a February session, two more from a May/June session, and then 17 sides from a massive November/December session, which represent only about half the output of that date, if it was a single date (mx. numbers are consecutive, however); all were done for Norman Granz and appeared originally on Clef or Mercury. Also, all are trio recordings, with Barney Kessel on guitar and Ray Brown on bass.



The February recordings feature Peterson's singing, which is Nat Cole-influenced and quite pleasant. By the next session Oscar had begun his first round of Songbook recordings, with all the selections by either Richard Rodgers, Gershwin, Cole Porter, Berlin, or Jerome Kern. Some highlights include an unusually slow tempo on A FOGGY DAY, Kessel playing follow-the-leader to Peterson on STRIKE UP THE BAND, the very slow pace taken on ISN'T THIS A LOVELY DAY, the nice bluesy feel created on the slower-than-usual LADY BE GOOD, and the interesting opening to 'S WONDERFUL where the tempos vary before going into straight 4/4. Barney Kessel is an excellent single-note guitar soloist, and is particularly fine on THOU SWELL, I GOT RHYTHM, and 'S WONDERFUL. Many think that this trio was the best Oscar ever worked with, and I tend to agree (though Herb Ellis was no slouch, either). Great songs played by a great jazz trio: what more could you ask for?"