Search - Oscar Peterson :: Verve Jazz Masters 37 Oscar Peterson Plays Broadway

The Timeless Appeal of Broadway Music . . . In The Key of Os

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 06/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Who can explain why Broadway show music has such a hold over jazz artists - especially when there are enough original compositions within their own medium to choose from for interpretation? The answer is quite simple: Jazz artists create personal compositions that are instantly associated with them. And the trend is that artist 'A' shouldn't record artist 'B's composition. Theatre music, on the other hand, has universal appeal, and a song grows with each new recording of it by a different performer." ~ Ezio Petersen ~



I agree with what the host of Musical Theater Today on WKCR-FM in New York City, Ezio Petersen was trying to point out on his Liner Notes about Broadway music having a universal appeal. Not only it has universal appeal, but timeless appeal as well. This is the kind of music that will never go out of style.



If you love Broadway musicals and the theme songs from each show, you'll find this compilation CD, "Oscar Peterson Plays Broadway" an enjoyable listen with its sixteen tunes interpreted by one of the greatest pianists in the genre of instrumental jazz together with some of the best sidemen and his long-time partners: guitarists Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel and Irving Ashby, bassist Ray Brown, trumpeter Clark Terry, drummers Ed Thigpen, Gene Gammage and Alvin Stoller. The selections were taken from thirteen various albums that were recorded during the span of fourteen years from 1950 through 1964 under Verve Records, a reputable name in jazz recordings.



Most of the brilliant tunesmiths of the Great American Songbook are represented here with some of their best works from Broadway shows. My highlights are the following tracks.



"Easter Parade" - Irving Berlin (As Thousands Cheer, 1925)

"All The Things You Are" - Jerome Kern (Very Warm May, 1939)

"Strike Up The Band" - George Gershwin (Strike Up The Band, 1930)

"I Get A Kick Out of You" - Cole Porter (Anything Goes, 1934)

"Come Rain or Come Shine" - Harold Arlen (St. Louis Woman, 1946)

"There's A Small Hotel" - Richard Rodgers (On Your Toes, 1936)

"Just In Time" - Jule Styne (Bells Are Ringing, 1956)

"Wouldn't It Be Loverly" - Frederick Loewe (My Fair Lady, 1960)

"Surrey On The Fringe On Top" - Richard Rodgers (Oklahoma, 1944)



"Baubles, Bangles And Beads" (adaptation from the music of classical composer Alexander Borodin) - George Forrest/Robert Wright (Kismet, 1953). They were also the same writers who adapted another beautiful music and a favorite of mine from Borodin, "Stranger In Paradise."



"Body And Soul" - Johnny Green (Three's A Crowd, 1930), this is the longest running track from this set at 11:49 where Peterson does an extended play and a lot of improvisation. If you have keen ears you will notice how he infused a couple of snippets from the melodies of "Surrey On The Fringe On Top" and "Let's Fall In Love." I love it when pianists do that innovative technique.



A beautiful compilation.

A delightful listen.

A must-have to any Broadway music fan.

A welcome addition to any serious Peterson collector."