Very Tall

Milt Jackson, Oscar Peterson, Oscar Peterson & Stephane Grappelli | Format: Audio Cassette

Product Details

• Audio Cassette (October 17, 1990)
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B00000ERYA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #782,082 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. On Green Dolphin Street

2. Heartstrings

3. Work Song

4. John Brown's Body

5. A Wonderful Guy

6. Reunion Blues

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What's this? Milt Jackson, the tasteful, restrained, and subtle vibraphone player meets Oscar Peterson, the busy, blazing, and emphatic pianist, for the first time? The 1961 pairing works like a charm for two reasons. First, each player adapts rather nicely to the other's style--Jackson is a bit more spirited and active overall, Peterson is a bit more low-key and leisurely (especially in support of Jackson)--without dramatically altering his own sound. Secondly and most importantly, both share a great passion for the blues and have the ability to translate this love with a balance of technical prowess and deep emotion. With the opener "On Green Dolphin Street," they seem to trade roles completely, as Jackson's energetic solo gives way to Peterson tip-toeing through the upper register during his. However, on the scintillating "Work Song," Peterson is back to his old self, raising the intensity level to great heights as only he can. And the two mine "John Brown's Body" for all the blues they can find. --Marc Greilsamer

Product Description

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this 1962 album. Contains the complete original album Very Tall, which marked the first recorded collaboration between Oscar Peterson and Milt Jackson. Two live versions of the album's first track performed by the Oscar Peterson Trio, as well as Milt Jackson's original version of 'Heartstrings' have been added here as a bonus. Includes 12-page booklet. American Jazz Classics. 2012. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliance, February 7, 2001

By 

David Bradley "David Bradley" (Sterling, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Very Tall (Audio CD)

Just a perfect record. There is so much swing in this LP, and it comes out of a handful of instruments.

The vibes rule the record, but it is Peterson's piano that holds down the fort from beginning to end. Tasty bass, economic drums, and a sharp choice of tunes.

The soft intro will fool you. Two minutes in you will find yourself ready to move with it, and it doesn't let go.

I have gone through 3 copies of this record--2 vinyl and 1 CD--over the past 20 years, and I never get tired of it.

This ranks with the best of Mingus or Miles Davis, in my book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best thing your ears could ever ask for, September 23, 2002

By 

Simon Dufour (New York, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Very Tall (Audio CD)

I'm only 14 and most people would think that I listen to modern music, but no, this is the type of stuff that makes me look to the past for good music. This is one of the best albums ever, be it in Jazz or music in general.
This album is solid all the way through, starting off with the very mellow and relaxing "On Green Dolphin Street" to the last track, "Reunion Blues", probably my favorite track on the album. Oscar Peterson and Bags both really swing on this track and Ed Thigpen(drums) does a great job off backing them up. In addition to make this album even better Ray Brown is on the bass.
This album in my eyes is simply a classic; very mellow, very relaxing, very well done, and most importantly very good.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, a true classic!, May 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Very Tall (Audio CD)

Oscar Peterson and Milt Jackson, two of the true giants of Jazz, meeting at the height of their powers - can it get any better? Probably not. Peterson is in full force, romping through "Reunion Blues" and "Work Song" as if in overdrive. Jackson adds his personal touch with incredible time and a big, big bag of arabesques, more than you can possibly think of. Even the ballads, like "A Wonderful Guy" and "On Green Doplhin Street" will make you tap your foot and long for more. The "Repeat"-button on your CD-player was invented for this record! (If you can't get enough, try the CDs "Ain't But A Few Of Us Left" and "Reunion Blues", the latter with a great rendition of "Satisfaction".)