Customer Reviews

Timekeepers

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

 

 

Recorded in 1978, this is tasty stuff. Basie and Peterson bring contrasting piano styles to bear on this straightforward music, ably supported by the rock-solid rhythm section of John Heard on bass and Louis Bellson on drums. No, this is not the most exciting music in the world, but it is hard to listen to without tapping your toes or snapping your fingers after a while--these guys know how to swing, and in this recording, they sound as though they are having a ball. The sound quality is clean and clear, at least on the JVC-mastered issue that I auditioned. To be honest, I never have been much of an Oscar Peterson fan, but in these recording sessions, the presence of Basie seems to have focused Peterson's attention on the music, with the listener being the big winner. The disk is pretty short, under 38 minutes, but we'll let that slide.

This reissue of the original 1970's Basie/Peterson collaboration is a true gem. I heard a cut on local jazz station (KCSM) and had to have the whole disk. Here we have two master pianists testing each other's mettle and blending seamlessly into a beautiful whole. Highly recommended.

I was a bit sceptical - my first notion was that Oscar Peterson would overwhelm the simplicity of Basie. Well, I was wrong...fact is, rarely has Peterson played with such subtlety and taste...As for Basie, he is his own man, an ultra-chief in total control. Louie Bellson and the underrecognized bassist John Heard round out this fine album.