Armstrong Meets Peterson

Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000047G5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,669 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Relaxin', December 15, 2001

By 

Tom Schusterbauer (West Bloomfield, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Armstrong Meets Peterson (Audio CD)

On that great Verve album cover, two giants of twentieth century jazz, sitting on plain old barstools, shirtsleeved, about as casual as casual can be.
A fitting intro to this recording.Satchmo is not encumbered by that saccharine pop stuff of his later years, nor is he too Bourbon Street to bear. Instead, he swings gracefully, wittily, almost effortlessly from track to track, contributing some growls where needed, a little soulful commentary now and then, and, of course, that smile that one almost see in his voice.

He tackles these standards in a mellow but never vapid way; you've heard most of these songs before, but Armstrong makes you want to listen, makes you hum a little in the car, a few finger pops, and, of course, you find yourself singing along.

O.P.'s trio is exactly what Armstrong needed for an outing like this. As always, they absolutely swing, with wonderful licks from Herb Ellis, Ray Brown's steady but playful bass, and some brushes and softly pulsing rhythm from guest drummer Louie Bellson.

Ah, and there's Oscar himself, as relaxed as Armstrong, as casual, even as restrained, because, like Satchmo, on this recording Oscar does not even begin to lapse into self-indulgence or caricature-- as both artists at times tend to do. Nope, O.P. just runs the keyboard in a manner that seems to steady and support Armstrong. These two giants share the spotlight here, with respect for each other and for the music.

The Trio(plus one) is in sweet form here. Satch sings up a quiet storm, and even contributes a few licks on that always startling, always shining trumpet of his.

Buy it. Add to your O.P. collection, or to your Armstrong collection. Or begin your collection of either or both masters.
This is a no-brainer.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Icon plays with Oscar Peterson, January 26, 2003

By 

Jorge Barbarosa "the_bassist" (the back 9) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Armstrong Meets Peterson (Audio CD)

Whoever plays with Oscar Peterson and his renowned Trio (Herb Ellis on guitar) usually shine... but Louis Armstrong really shines here. It's one of my favorite Armstrong releases (even though it's Oscar Peterson's). My my what a combination, the recording is just okay (tape hiss) but the musicianship is rock solid. Louis' vocals are slightly subdude, but lends a wonderful rich quality to the tracks. Great sessions, made even greater by the old, trusty vocal and horn work generated by Louis Armstrong. Did I say "Rock Solid?" I should have said Jazz Solid.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this music touched my heart, May 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Armstrong Meets Peterson (Audio CD)

I first heard a track from this cd on NPR. It was "you go to my head". I love this recording and am so gratefull I discovered it. It touched my heart in a way that few recordings ever have. This is my favorite Armstrong album, and I feel that he was in a zone when he was recording it. I got the sense that he was so at ease with Oscar Peterson and his own self that the music just poured from him, like water from a pitcher. Try it you'll like it.