Oscar Peterson Trio – West Side Story (1962) [APO Remaster 2011] [SACD / Analogue Productions – CVRJ 8454 SA]

Oscar Peterson Trio - West Side Story (1962) [APO Remaster 2011]

Title: Oscar Peterson Trio – West Side Story (1962) [APO Remaster 2011]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

West Side Story was a bit of an unusual session for several reasons. First, the popularity of both the Broadway musical and the film version that followed meant that there were many records being made of its music. Second, rather than woodshed on the selections prior to entering the studio, the Oscar Peterson Trio spontaneously created impressions of the musical’s themes on the spot. “Something’s Coming” seems like a series of vignettes, constantly shifting its mood, as if moving from one scene to the next. Ray Brown plays arco bass behind Peterson in the lovely “Somewhere,” while the feeling to “Jet Song” is very hip in the trio’s hands. The snappy interplay between the musicians in the brisk setting of “Tonight” turns it into a swinger. “Maria” initially has a light, dreamy quality, though it evolves into a solid groove. The romp through “I Feel Pretty” is full of humor, while the album closes with a brief reprise of several themes from the musical to wrap the session with a flourish.

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Oscar Peterson Trio – We Get Requests (1964) [Analogue Productions 2011] [SACD / Analogue Productions – CVRJ 8606 SA]

Oscar Peterson Trio - We Get Requests (1964) [Analogue Productions 2011]

Title: Oscar Peterson Trio – We Get Requests (1964) [Analogue Productions 2011]
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Pianist Oscar Peterson has long been such a consistent performer that none of his records are throwaways, but this particular set is weaker than most. Since several of the songs are the type that in the mid-’60s would get requested (such as “People,” “The Girl from Ipanema,” and “The Days of Wine and Roses”), the program would not seem to have much potential, but Peterson mostly uplifts the material (although not much could be done with “People”) and adds a few songs (such as his own “Goodbye, J.D.” and John Lewis’ “D & E”). Overall, this is a reasonably enjoyable Oscar Peterson session, featuring bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen.

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1 min read