Customer Reviews

In Tune (Reis)

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

 

 

I can't understand the first reviewer's critical review. To me, this album has always sounded brilliant. I remember listening with a jazz musician friend who was nearly ecstatic over Oscar Peterson's playing. If the criticism is that this is a somewhat quiet album, I'd agree that it's a bit quiet but not that this is a disadvantage. The arranging and performances are complex, inventive, and lyrical. Gene Perling expresses his aranging skills in some of the most lush and wonderful chords and harmonies you could ask for.

It is true that this is not Oscar Peterson at his most virtuosic. We're so used to hearing him playing stuff that only he can play that it's rare to encounter him in a more lyrical mood. This album is a chance to catch that side of him. His playing is often gentle and melodious and always blends with the ensemble. Listen to the way his trio complements the singers in "The Shadow of Your Smile," which, incidentally features some wonderfully lush harmonies. Peterson's playing is unlike anything you ever heard on an elevator. Listen closely and you'll be rewarded with musical lines of great and subtle intricacy.

Gene Perling Is without doubt one of the greatest arranger for jazz voices. I consider this album one of his most interesting efforts. It certainly isn't "middle-of-the-road pop." Just as so many of my favorite classical works are adagios, I see nothing wrong with jazz showing a quiet side from time-to-time.

Excellent music for the jazz buff. Not only do you get what I consider the greatest piano trio ever but with wonderful jazz vocals. A must for music lovers.

Most Perfect Pianist (Oscar of course) in Most Perfect Soound (the record company)!! I have just bought all the Oscar Peterson MPS reissues (they are 9 if you don't consider the 4 or 5 titles that go in the "exclusively for my friends" box set). These albums were recorded in the seventies a decade not known for good Jazz, but this is not the case. These MPS album from Peterson stand out believe me! I can say that this album is something really unique and exceptional among the others MPS which are all great. You have the Oscar Peterson Jazz trio (Peterson/Mraz/Haynes) with "voices", the choir "Singers Unilimited" directed and arranged by Mr Gene Puerling. I can say that the tenderness and melancholy that this album possess it is something truly wonderful. There's nothing more to say here, this album is fantastic you have to hear for yourself to believe what an immaculate music this album contains. The harmonizations of the choir are amazing and can send thousands of shivers down your spine! They do this for me! I want to tribute the marvellous voices of this choir. It is heaven on earth! Oscar? He played here fantastic of course, leaving space for the voices and never did a mistake or something less than amazing. The program is a lovely standards program. The recording quality of these MPS reissues is unbelievable. I have a very good hiend system, and it loves these albums. ***** Five stars for this album, for the quality of the music and for the quality of the reissue. No doubt. I immediatly fell in love with this one!

In my opinion, this was the best album recorded by The Singers Unlimited. It is the best example of a large sound with an intimate approach that I can ever remember hearing. The harmonies , twists and turns are woven into a tapestry of sound which, considering this is in 1971 before all the computer technology we take for granted today, was simply amazing. Gene Puerling's arrangements are pure genius.

This cd combines both vocal lyrics and wordless vocals with certainly one of the best trios of the time. This is The Singers album but the support of the Oscar Peterson Trio has to be acknowledged also. Oscar's talents with a ballad and the beautifully comping bass work of George Mraz with the tasteful brushwork of drummer Louis Hayes are an exemplary sample of an intimate jazz approach which is displayed on "The Gentle Rain", "The Shadow Of Your Smile" and "Here's That Rainy Day" in particular.

"The Gentle Rain" and this particular arrangement is one of the most poignant yet beautiful recordings I've ever heard. Bonnie Herman adds so much to the group with a natural sultry and sexy voice shown especially here on "Once Upon A Summertime".

This is a recording of a vocal group with a top rated jazz trio that almost anyone would enjoy hearing anytime, but especially for me in the late evening.

This Japanese release, remastered in 20-bit sound, does wonders to eliminate that nasty hiss from the earlier MPS CD edition. On top of that, it is the ONLY way to get the original gatefold jacket, albeit in a miniaturized LP format, down to the replication of the original record label on the CD face. These are great arrangements...the Singers Unlimited are in top form as is Oscar Peterson's group. If you like cool jazz and terrific vocal harmonies, pick this one up...but good luck finding this out of print edition. Still, it is the best way to go if you can find it!!!

A historic recording, this synergy between a German A Capella choir and one of the most prominent jazz pianist of the XXth Century. This record has a flair of happiness that you will never find annywhere else, plus a romantic touch that only lovers can understant. Just great. I am listening to this record for 30 years and just cannot stop listening to it. Excellent in dire times: gives you back a happy and relaxed mood ... just great ... probably the best record ever done in that style of a mixture of voice choirs and piano jazz.

This is a weak album. With any other pianist, this wouldn't have worked. Not the best Oscar Peterson. Try "Canadiana Suite" if you can find it.

To correct the last reviewer, The Singers Unlimited are actually an American ensemble...check out the updated liner notes to this reissue, quite fascinating really. I've been waiting a long time for a proper re-release of the old MPS/Oscar Peterson catalog & it looks like it's finally here. I wasn't previously familiar with this title though I'd see the cover advertised on other old MPS albums. I was half expecting to hear the OP Trio padded with a nice background of Oohs & Aahs (not being familiar with the Singers Unlimited)...what a great surprise to hear full lyrics arranged with such beauty it's almost breathtaking. Four vocalists under the direction of Gene Puerling overdubbed to create such exquisite harmonies, it's easy to see why he was called a genius of vocal arranging.
I also highly recommend Oscar Peterson's "Motions & Emotions", another MPS masterpiece with beautiful large ensemble arrangements by another great genius, Claus Ogerman.

This combination neither swings nor makes for very romantic and moody music, if you look at it from the jazz point of view.

It's just a fine cocktail music, background music; middle-of-the-road pop showing some jazz influence...