Oscar gives Nat his due
The Fancy One | Westchester County, NY | 01/24/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was my first Oscar Peterson CD, and I truly enjoyed it. It was one of the very first tribute LPs dedicated to the late Nat "King" Cole. It was recorded about a year after Nat passed away, and Oscar pays his idol the highest respect with this album. AS Cole's favorite jazz pianist, Peterson adopted a large part of his style from NKC when he played with his successful King Cole Trio in the late 1930s and into the '40s. When you hear Peterson's interpretations of Nat's work, you will say that he is one of the few artists that can truly capture the feeling of Cole's Trio days. And I was pleasantly surprized to hear Oscar's singing voice...he sounds amazingly like Nat vocally as well as instrumentally. He said he didn't want to sing (much like Nat didn't want to do early in his career) because he sounded so much like Nat, he didn't want to suffer by comparison. So playing the piano seemed to be a better move for him.On this CD, Oscar flows through the songs with grace and ease, just as Nat had done. He makes you take a second listen to songs like "Unforgettable" and "Calypso Blues", that have the Cole-like delivery, but have different arrangements. So you get a whole new twist on these classic tunes, but it doesn't rob the tunes of their sentimentality and humor. My favorite on this CD is the instrumental "Easy Listening Blues", which is incidentally one of my King Cole Trio favorites as well. The similarities in Peterson's pianistics to those that Nat used are uncanny. Oscar Peterson is a musician who was worthy of taking up where Nat left off. I intend to purchase other CDs by him. Pick this one up."
"What Can I Say After I Say . . . I'm Sorry?"
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 05/24/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album, Oscar Peterson's "With Respect To Nat" is a novelty. It is the first ever and only Peterson album that spotlights his vocal flair. And the genius of jazz piano can sing! He's not only playing his favorite instrument here, but he is singing his heart out. I don't like comparisons, but I can't help it, if you listen closely he really sounds like Nat King Cole with his remarkable interpretations of songs that Cole made his own. The arrangements are some of the best ever that were written for this material.
Recorded and released in 1965 soon after the death of Cole, this album is Peterson's heartfelt tribute to the greatness of the legendary jazz singer/pianist. He is backed by a Big Band conducted by Manny Albam with a winning team of great musicians such as Phil Woods (sax), Hank Jones (piano), Richard Davis (bass), Mel Lewis (drums), among others. He also has the enduring support of his original sidemen, Ray Brown (bass) and Herb Ellis (guitar).
My choicest cuts include ingenious renditions of "Unforgettable," "Orange Colored Sky," "Walkin' My Baby Back Home," "Calypso Blues" (loved its exotic rhythm and amused by its lyric) and a rarity...a song written by Walter Donaldson and Abe Lyman, "(What Can I Say) After I Say I'm Sorry?"
"What can I do to prove it to you that I'm sorry?
I didn't mean to ever be mean to you
If I didn't care I wouldn't feel like I do"
Listening to this unique recording is such a delightful experience. If you haven't heard Peterson's vocal flair yet, this is the perfect CD to own. It's a welcome addition to your Peterson collection.
"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." ~ Victor Hugo ~"
Oscar plays tribute to Nat.
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | 06/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
""My favorite instrument" is probably one of the first CD's made by Oscar. Both Oscar and Nat used to have trio's and made the piano-jazz lovers sway and dream with their bright interpretatons, nuances and even a sometimes hum or just plain singing with the tune. This is a "must" for know-hows, who will enjoy time after time these lovely melodies, interpreted with devotion, love and joy! ""
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
