Customer Reviews

Digital at Montreux

5 star:		(3)
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This is a marvelous display of Peterson's talent in 1979. The Ellington medly alone could be considered one of jazz's greatest performances. Oscar is accompanied by bassist Nels Hennings Orsted Pederson, also a world-class musician.

Oscar at his best. Don't miss it. What a shame that only the Japanese care enough about jazz to reissue this masterpiece.

How I envy the people in the audience at this performance!!! I saw Oscar once at Rick's Cafe Americain in Chicago (at the old Lake Shore Drive Holiday Inn). They had all the Pablo artists there at one time or another. My wife and I sat so close Oscar was sweating on us. I had heard his overwhelming Montreux performance on LP, and asked him to play some Billy Strayhorn (most of the Ellington medley on the album was really written by Strayhorn), and he played Something to Live For, Daydream and Chelsea Bridge and closed with Take the A Train. I'm here to tell you, that Album was not sped up. I sat there with my jaw on the table as Oscar's fingers dissolved into a blur incomprehensible to the eye. On both hands! At the same time!

Some would argue that Oscars formidable technique sometimes got in the way of the tune, rather than servicing it. I say, who cares? I saw the greatest jazz pianist of all time, at the peak of his prowess, and he was not only a virtuoso, but a gentleman. He was touched by God, don't ever doubt it. He worked harder than anybody to earn it, but earn it he did. Miss you, Mr. Peterson! Can't wait to get up there and hear you playing rent parties with Scott, Jelly Roll, Willie the Lion, JJ, James P, Eubie, Fatha, Teddy, Fats and Art.

Absolutely a wonderful album of jazz piano by a master. One of Peterson's very best! Just brilliant. Recorded in Switzerland in the mid-70s.