A Jazz Portrait of Frank Sinatra (Dig) [Original recording remastered]

Oscar Peterson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Verve
• ASIN: B0002LGWR2
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,417 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Oscar on automatic, September 8, 2007

By 

S J Buck (Kent, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Jazz Portrait of Frank Sinatra (Dig) (Audio CD)

I am a huge fan of Oscar Peterson, but this is really a very average Peterson album. Don't get me wrong the trio are fine and the playing is as good as you would expect. The problem is the lack of variation. Most of the tunes are played mid-tempo and Oscar never really stretches himself. The only semi-uptempo number is "It happened in Monterey".

Out of 12 tracks only 5 are longer than 3 minutes and none are longer than 4. Indeed one is less than 2 minutes. So I'm afriad this means you get a theme statement short solo and theme again on nearly all tracks.

There is nothing wrong this album, but there are literally dozens of better Oscar Peterson albums to get first.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Chopin Is To Classical, Peterson Is To Jazz, December 12, 2006

By 

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Jazz Portrait of Frank Sinatra (Dig) (Audio CD)

I've been listening to some of the many memorable Sinatra CDs from my collection since Sunday night, and this CD is one of them. This is my very own special way of honoring the legendary Chairman of the Board's 91st birth anniversary today, December 12, 2006.

"For years I have been an ardent admirer of Frank Sinatra. I've been thrilled by his singing and I've respected the taste that goes with his singing. As a musician I've further admired his choice of tunes and as a fan I've recognized that certain tunes are forever, at least in my mind, inextricably linked with Sinatra, both by usage and interpretation and by that special magic that is his alone. This album is not only a tribute to Frank Sinatra, but also my emotional interpretation of the feelings I get when I hear him. I have tried, therefore, to paint as well as I can a portrait, told in my personal jazz terms, of Frank Sinatra." ~ Oscar Peterson ~

I'm in accord with Oscar Peterson's sentiments about Frank Sinatra and his music especially coming from a jazz icon himself who has made a very impressive mark in the history of jazz.

This album, which was recorded in Paris on May 18, 1959, is worthy to any jazz aficionado and Oscar Peterson and Frank Sinatra enthusiasts. It's one of the best Sinatra tributes ever recorded and one of the greatest piano jazz albums of all-time. Yes, this recording is definitely old - recorded 47 years ago, but the sound quality is outstanding. Thanks to the marvel of today's sound engineering and mastering. Oscar Peterson, a legendary pianist and one of the most respected names in the jazz world, did a sublimely exceptional job in "painting a jazz portrait" of another musical legend and Entertainer of the Century, Frank Sinatra.

The master of the ivories, together with his long-time partners, Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums play some of the signature tunes made popular by Sinatra most notably "You Make Me Feel So Young," "Come Dance With Me," "It Happened In Monterey," "Just In Time" and "I Get A Kick Out Of You."

You'll totally enjoy listening to a dozen of terrific tunes as he tickles the ivories and gives you that remarkably familiar jazz piano and I call it "Distinctively Peterson Sound" - that effortless and powerful piano playing. Each interpretation is so enjoyable to listen to. Oscar Peterson turns these tunes into ear-catching melodies with his spontaneity and artistry in piano playing.

With Oscar Peterson on the ivories, there's never a dull moment. Although these tunes were recorded countless times, he made each melody so special with its respective rhythms that are so infectious and highly-spirited.

This is one great CD jazz fans wouldn't want to miss. Listen now and enjoy!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Oscar in excellent remasterd sound, August 18, 2005

By 

Oldnslow (Seattle, Washington USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Jazz Portrait of Frank Sinatra (Dig) (Audio CD)

This classic Sinatra tribute has been remastered beautifully to properly showcase this inimitable trio of Peterson, Brown, and Thigpen. It's only too bad they didn't see fit to add some of the many other Sinatra tunes recorded at this same session as the playing time is very short. While these tunes only last 2-3 minutes each, the fact Peterson edited himself to basically just the melodies in no way detracts from the wonderful group feel. These classic songs associated with Sinatra are a wonderful complement to the originals. Essential.