Customer Reviews

Compact Jazz

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This is the sort of bargain-basement compendium I usually avoid, but boy am I glad I got this. This is Oscar Peterson at the height of his powers from the 1964-1966 period, with a well-sequenced selection of some his best recordings. Tracks 3 and 7 include Clark Terry on trumpet, while the rest are from trios Oscar recorded with during this period. Oscar's dazzling technique is on full display in every number, and each tune offers numerous pleasures.

"Music is an emotion. It is directly from the person: body, mind and soul. You're trying to make the instrument say what you want it to say." ~ Oscar Peterson ~

Oscar Peterson, who turns 82 this August, has about eight Grammys to add to his impressive credentials not to mention several Hall of Fame awards. He is the very first jazz musician to receive the most-coveted and prestigious international award "Glenn Gould Prize" given for extraordinary contribution to music. And not long ago, his country of origin, Canada, honored him for a Distinguish Canadian Leadership Award. Likewise, Canada Post has commemorated his life and achievements with a 50-cent stamp on his 80th birthday in 2005 making him the first living artist to be honored as such.

This CD is one of the greatest collections of his masterpieces recorded between 1964 and 1966 showcasing his genius in piano playing. On the concise Liner Notes, James Isaacs dubbed him an "heir to Art Tatum's mantle as jazz's virtuoso pianist." From one of the magazine articles I have read, he once told an interviewer that "Art Tatum could play faster than anybody at 12,000 notes a minute, and he didn't even have to think about it. He'd be running along the keys with one hand while taking a drink with the other. But what notes did he choose? Those notes, in that sequence, that was his genius."

As always, his albums which include Oscar Peterson Plays The George Gershwin Songbook, A Jazz Portrait of Frank Sinatra, Encore at the Blue Note, We Get Requests, Exclusively for My Friends, Vol. 4: My Favorite Instrument, At the Stratford Shakesperean Festival, Tribute, 1951 and Plays the Harold Arlen Song Book have an enormous impact to the listening ears of jazz lovers and this collection, "Compact Jazz: Oscar Peterson" is also a testament. Supported by his long-time collaborators Ray Brown and Sam Jones (bass), Ed Thigpen and Louis Hayes (drums), Clark Terry (trumpet) and Herb Ellis (guitar), Oscar Peterson offers eleven of his most remarkably beautiful recordings of all-time. My highlights include ingenious interpretations of "Let's Fall In Love," "The Shadow of Your Smile," "Autumn Leaves," "Stella By Starlight" and "Misty."

Likewise, he has the special ability to turn his original compositions into something wonderful with his exceptional piano artistry, which is synonymous to great jazz music. This is especially true with "Roundalay" and "Wheatland," my favorite from his original compositions. So give this CD a listen and experience the majestic sounds from a living legend of jazz piano, Oscar Peterson.

Wholeheartedly recommended for your listening enjoyment now and forever!

I think, that is the cd I love most! Cool and smooth, but also interesting. I makes you strong moods, especially no.4&8.

Sweet,cool, and lovely.
sorta like a coastful ride with your favorite lover.
this cd screams of passion and mature balance! oscar woos the listener with sentimental and often sweet aggression, I enjoyed it immensely.

I just cant say enough about this cd! Its just so awesome! Oscar Peterson is just rippin the keys, he is so awesome. I really enjoy the WHOLE CD. The Shadow of your Smile is so cool when he strums the strings, I cant explain it, its a great CD, its a MUST HAVE.

Yo this is a really smooth tasting CD, better then prob. featerings with Grapelli an soo one!