Oscar Peterson - Live at the Blue Note

This four-disc set collects the previously released CDs of Peterson's legendary three-night stand in 1990 at the renowned New York City club. Featuring longtime compatriots Herb Ellis and Ray Brown, the "trio" here is actually a quartet with drummer Bobby Durham, who'd played with Peterson in the late 1960s. The collection offers prime playing and stands as a sort of summation of Peterson's longstanding work with both Brown and Ellis. It was only a few years after these performances that the pianist suffered a stroke, from which he recovered, but which altered his style, costing him the stridency of his left hand. Among the first jazz recordings for what up until then had been a classical label, the sets were captured with the warmth and clarity for which Telarc has become known. --David Greenberger Amazon.com

Still Great

These are great recordings. Currently the last available before Oscar had a stroke, which has since restricted his left hand to very minimal use. Repeated listens to these sets lead me to think that his wonderful technique was a few percentage points down on what it was in the 50's 60's or 70's. However that is virtually irrelevant as 98% Oscar Peterson is still superior to most others. This is an essential late Peterson recording for completists. It would also serve as a fine starter pack for the newcomer to the great man.

April 29, 2007

Outstanding Jazz Recorded Live

I am very happy that I purchased this box-set. It is rare to find exceptional audio engineering and exceptional performance in one package. There are no weaknesses here. Oscar Peterson's talent and virtuosity really comes through - he is agile, fast and furious and he has incredible sensitivity. Listening to him - one just goes for a joy ride with the rest of the group Herb Ellis, Ray Brown and Bobby Durham - it all comes together. These live performances at the Blue Note are recorded with great skill - the transparency, detail and the dynamics are captured with very low floor-noise. Oscar Peterson really makes the grand piano breathe which again has been miked with great skill. The recording shows a 3-D soundstage with ambiance which BTW is not overdone. The emphasis is on the instruments and the listener has front-row seating. This is the best recording I have heard from Telarc and they deserve as much credit as the performers - making this product available to jazz fans everywhere. February 8, 2007

Genius in a Nutshell

If you are a Peterson fan, simply click on "Buy" and enjoy some unrivalled performances by Peterson and his most trusted allies. If you are new to the Oscar Peterson phenomenon, read on. Oscar Peterson, perhaps jazz's technially most gifted pianist, had been extremely successful for more than four decades when he undertook it to record his most celebrated group live in the unrivalled setting of New York's foremost jazz club, the Blue Note. Shortly after he made these records, Peterson suffered a stroke that limited the use of his left hand. He has made several outstanding rcords since, but on them he only played better than most other jazz pianists. On the Blue Note records, he played better than ALL of them. Everything people marvel about when talking about Peterson can be found here - Peterson's absolute mastery of the piano, his own, intriguing compositions (most of the tunes are his, and I personally favour his moving "Nighttime"), some deeply felt blues pieces ("Bach's Blues"), some gentle swing tunes ("Let There Be Love"), and some surprising interpretations of standards ("Here's That Rainy Day"). His support is superlative. Ray Brown, who is now deceased, was for many, many year's jazz's no. 1 bassist. In a well-rehearsed union with guitarist Herb Ellis, his musicality was a major contribution to the success of a trio that achieved legendary status within only a few short years. Thus, these records turned out to be the summary of the career of one of the foremost jazz pianists of the 20th century. So, if you are interested in the art of the jazz piano, you do not need to look any further. Here's everything. Listen and enjoy.





January 9, 2007

The great trio from the 50's revisited

This box set reunites the Oscar Peterson Trio from the 50's, with Herb Ellis and Ray Brown, and also includes Bobby Durham, another OP3 alumnus from the 60's, on drums. The music on this was originally released as 4 separate CDs from 1990-92. These guys are absolutely fantastic. This is my all-time favorite grouping. The playing is much more laid back than their stuff from the 50's but they still swing like crazy, and swinging is what it's all about. This is one group I'd love to see live. You really get the live feel of it from this set though. I also recommend this group's other live sets from the 50's, OP Trio @ Zardi's, @ the Stratford Shakespearean Festival, @ the Concertgebuow, and On the Town. These are especially fiery and the playing on these is incredible. The piano trio with bass and guitar is my favorite group setting just like Nat King Cole's and this incarnation of the Oscar Peterson Trio is unparalleled. Enjoy this set. My only disappointment is that although the liner notes are quite good in the booklet it would've been nice to have some pictures from the shows. January 13, 2006

Great Live Jazz; Horrible Packaging

This four-disc box set captures some exquisite live jazz performances featuring the still spry Oscar Peterson, stalwart bassist Ray Brown, guitarist Herb Ellis and drummer Bobby Durham. The music is taken from gigs recorded live at the Blue Note March 16-18, in 1990.

All the musicians sound great and the recorded sound is excellent. The only criticism I have of this set has to do with the packaging. Some genius at Telarc decided to lock the CD's in their holders using some new design that makes it insanely difficult to remove the discs. It took me fifteen minutes at least and it was miraculous I didn't break them in the process. The new design is like a medieval torture device. Don't let it stop you from buying the set, but be aware of it and use caution in getting the discs out. No one who spends $35 on a box set should have to go through this. December 8, 2005

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