Customer Reviews

Oscar Ray & Milt: Very Tall Band

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Bassist Ray Brown anchors this live date from '98 with a heavy thoughtful sound, especially on the intro to Blues for JR. Milt Jackson plays soulful and lovely on Nature Boy, making his vibes echo and moan. Overall the group stretches out and has fun together, even if the familiarity is lacking. Alot of Telarc's releases are by pioneers in the later stages of their careers, but they always add new spins to old spins. They make old music by old guys who are super-hip, like Ahmad Jamal's splendid I remember Duke... , released on Telarc in '95. Check this one out, y'all!

This recording is a chance to hear 3 Jazz masters late in their careers. The Very Tall band is a reference to the album they recorded in 1962 as "Very Tall The Oscar Peterson Trio with Milt Jackson", which incidentally is a fabulous album.

So does this live up to the very high standards they set 36 years ago. Well the simple answer is no. The loss of the use of his left hand means that Oscar Peterson is no longer quite the powerhouse rhythm player that he was before the stroke. Also just occasionally there is a fragility to his right hand lines that perhaps you wouldn't pick up on if his left hand was fully functioning. Age is an unkind master.

However this IS a lovely album. Ray Brown is playing as well as ever and his bass solo medley shows this off wonderfully well. 99% of Oscar Petersons playing is still great. He swings like hell and he puts great feeling into his Piano playing - listen to his wonderful "When Summer Comes", and bare in mind that this done with one-hand most of the time! Likewise Milt Jackson playing, if a notch down from years ago still shows the touch and phrasing of a master. So Oscar and Milt may have lost a little in terms of absolute technique but they can compensate for this in experience and feel.

This is one of the last recordings of Milt Jackson, as he sadly died within a year of this recording. Ray Brown died in 2002 and is sorely missed.

This 1998 recording finds OP once again reunited with Ray Brown and Milt Jackson. Also joining them is drummer Karriem Riggins, from Ray Brown's trio. It must have been wonderful to have been in the audience at the Blue Note during this recording session. I have seen OP on a concert stage before, but to hear him in an intimate setting like a jazz club must be the experience of a life time. Not to mention Milt and Ray. And so, for those of us who were not fortunate enough to be there, this then is the next best thing. The sound is awesome, and if you turn down the lights and close your eyes..with a little imagination you will be there at the Blue Note.

this is a very good easy listening Group with just the right sounds for almost anyone that appreciates music. It is refreshing to say the least. I am just speechless.

this is a very good easy listening Group with just the right sounds for almost anyone that appreciates music. It is refreshing to say the least. I am just speechless.

this is a very good easy listening Group with just the right sounds for almost anyone that appreciates music. It is refreshing to say the least. I am just speechless.