Customer Reviews

Exclusively for My Friends: Lost Tapes

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

a jazz player once told me flat out that Oscar was the best. I dutifully shook my head yes and listened to a lot of his early stuff. Great talent but somewhat uninspiring arrangements. Then I stumbled onto this CD. If you know anything about playing the piano, you will listen to this performance with your mouth wide open, barely able to believe what you are hearing. His virtuosity and sheer "athleticism" are beyond description. This CD is simply a journey to another world.

This is one of Peterson's finest efforts, although the disc set is hard to find. The reltively rare selections and their assembly form a complete work and allow the listener to experience the many aspects of his virtuosity. From the elegance and beauty of his unique chords that are the essence of Peterson, to the fast driving up-tempo tracks, you get to hear them without the annoying flourish and embellishment that distract in other recordings. This live performance captures Peterson at his very best, in his prime.

This is incredible. This is no longer jazz, but an entire genre of music in its own right, which swings so hard they had to lose the tapes, it seems.The version of Squeaky's Blues just takes your ears and your heart and rips them to shreds, and then it really gets going. Damn, this is good.

What a shock that Amazon no longer carries this one, an outstanding session even by Peterson standards. No doubt it's still in print in some pricey box collection for Peterson completists, but the broader listening public deserves better. This album, simply put, is as good as it gets, with Oscar in the company of bass and drums (rather than Herb Ellis' guitar). Recorded in Germany by Oscar's audiophile-jazz producer friend, Hans George Brunner-Schwer, the audio captures Oscar at full stride and his preferred Bosendorfer in all of its glory, before a small group of especially engaged, appreciative fans to insure that nothing is held back, phoned in, or cut short to suit short-attention spans. Another reason I generally recommend this one is that it gives listeners a chance to hear Oscar in the company of two different rhythm sections--the tandems of Ray Brown/Ed Thigpen and Sam Jones/Bobby Durham. Without taking the least bit away from the former pair, Jones and Durham provide a gritty, unshakeable groove--especially since both of these specialized "ditch-diggers" couldn't care less about solo time.

Incredible Playing, Get this album

This is by Far the Best Ive heard OP play with amazing tunes and arragements.

Get this album you wont regret it

UPDATE FEB 2009:

i CANT GET OVER THIS ALBUM AND IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR

I dont now what got into OP & Trio šIf Jimmy Hendrix was a Jazz pianistš MAYBE THIS IS WHAT WOULD HAVE COME OUT

INCREDIBLE INCREDIBLE INCREDIBLE INCREDIBLE INCREDIBLE

Thank You Oscar !!!!

If you are a piano player,GET THIS RECORDING!
If you are a bass player, GET THIS RECORDING!
If you are a drummer, GET THIS RECORDING!
If you are ANY type of musician, GET THIS RECORDING!
If you want to hear musical perfection, GET THIS RECORDING!
If you think you know great jazz GET THIS RECORDING!
If you are new to jazz GET THIS RECORDING!
If you want to turn on someone to not only jazz, but the best of the best in music GET THIS RECORDING!
Really folks, if you can't find this recording Oscar Peterson, Exclusively For My Friends (The Lost Tapes) it would be worth your while to be on an obsessive quest for it. Don't give up looking for it until you've got it in your hands. It's worth it... and it's THAT GOOD!
I was surprised that a person gave this a 4 and not 5 star rating. Maybe his/her mouse slipped as they were clicking. You just won't find anything better on a enjoyment/musical/technical level.
Oh, did I say I like this record? That's because I DON'T LIKE it... I passionately LOVE it.

This C.D. contains some great music. The mix of familiar and new music is balanced. Oscar's piano ability is outstanding as well as the other musicians. Pardon the phrase, but it is a must have.