Search - Oscar Peterson, Roy Eldridge :: Oscar Peterson & Roy Eldridge

A different classic

S J Buck | Kent, UK | 11/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Heres an unusual album from the Oscar Peterson cannon. Its part of the Trumpet kings series which Peterson did with five Trumpeters in the mid 1970's, featuring only Peterson and the Trumpet player (no bass and drums). In this case the Trumpet player is Roy Eldridge, the link between Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie and one of the most exciting players in the history of Jazz on any instrument.



The difference with this album is that Peterson plays Organ on five of the seven tracks, which are listed below:

1. Little Jazz (Piano)

2. She's Funny that way (Organ)

3. The way you look tonight (Piano)

4. Sunday (Organ)

5. Bad hat Blues (Organ)

6. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Organ)

7. Blues for Chu (Organ)



Roy Eldridge is the perfect musician to play with Oscar Peterson. Having a gladiatorial attitude to his playing Eldridge would never be affected by Petersons frankly astonishing playing on a few of these tracks. No more so than on the scorching version of 'The Way You Look Tonight' where both musicians play out of their skins.



The Organ may not be to everybodies taste and initially I was a little disapointed at having so few tracks with Piano. However after a few listens I began to appreciate the different timbre and change in the style of playing that the Organ brought about.



The recordings date from December 1974 and CD running time is 43:00 - highly recommended."