Search - Oscar Peterson :: Ultimate Oscar Peterson

A Great Introduction To Oscar Peterson

Le Kang | Le Monde | 08/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just like the other "Ultimate" compilations in the Verve library, "Ultimate Oscar Peterson" is a great buy. Peterson is sometimes dismissed as a watered-down Art Tatum, but that sort of criticism couldn't be further from the truth. His absolutely flawless music is on full display on this album, featuring recordings from what many consider to be his artistic peak (early 60's).This album is an impeccable selection of Peterson's best on the Verve label, including gems like Clark Terry's "Mumbles", the "Jet Song" from Bernstein's "West Side Story", and Bill Evans' "Waltz for Debby". On the last track on the album, "Chicago", Oscar and Ray Brown (who selected the tracks on the album) really go all out. Just when you think it's over, they segue into double-time and Oscar just goes into total
overdrive. The selection is particularly tasteful because it manages to capture Oscar at his up-tempo best, while also revealing his rarer, sentimental side on "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning".Crank up the volume to hear Oscar trying to scat the ridiculous lines he plays on the piano--it's far more entertaining and less jarring than Keith Jarrett's similar vocal stylings!"

Nearly perfect one-hour-plus of Peterson piano...

William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 12/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I don't care for the "Mumbles" number featuring Clark Terry's scatting, the cut is only two minutes long. The other 69 minutes on the disc are sensational. Bass player Ray Brown's other nine selections from Oscar's Verve years are all super. These tunes were recorded between 1956 and 1964, and feature Mr. Brown on bass in each. Other players include Ed Thigpen on drums, Herb Ellis on guitar and in one case, Milt Jackson on vibes. If you like jazz piano and do not already have the seven original albums from which the compliation was made, you can't go wrong purchasing this at the current price. Maybe you'll even like "Mumbles", but if you don't, hit "skip" and go directly to the wonderful nine-minute rendition of "Chicago" which closes the CD."

A great introduction to OP

G. Sawaged | Canada | 06/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It would be very difficult to give any OP album less than 5 stars, and this one is no exception. These tracks were all chosen by Ray Brown, and he admits it was very difficult to choose which ones to include. Indeed, it is an almost impossible task to choose just 10 songs from all of OP's Verve recordings, but he has made good choices. All tracks were recorded between 1961 and 1964. Included are notes by Ray Brown on each song and his feelings for them. This is a great introduction for someone who is just getting into the wonderful music of OP. It certainly leaves you wanting to hear more."