Search - Oscar Peterson :: Live at the Northsea Festival 1980

And on drums, an harmonica...

Cedric Westphal | san francisco, ca | 12/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This cd starts with a superb rendition of caravan, it is 10mn long. It is a bit unusual, as the head in is played by a sound I could not recognize at first: it was Toots Thielemans playing harmonica! Then Joe Pass on guitar plays the first solo, then O-Pete for a breathtaking solo, and the give and take keeps on and on. They switch tempo in the middle of it, going uptempo, taking it to the next level.



Straight no chaser that follows is not as impressive, but it is solid nonetheless. On bass is Niels-Henning Orsted-Pedersen, who is as reliable. If I don't mention the drums, it is because they play without any.



'There's no you' is a bit soporific. It would need the brushes to keep it swinging a bit, even though the bass line sings a pretty lullaby. Other songs are A-ok, Peterson is everywhere, playing in different styles (the block chord ending of 'city lights' is a nice touch, the locked hands parts in 'i'm old fashioned' is amazing, etc). Joe Pass does his part reliably. It is a live recording, as it name indicates, and the audience is obviously raptured.



For those who like Oscar Peterson, and/or the sound of harmonica."