Customer Reviews

West Side Story: Oscar Peterson Trio

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This disc is just about everything I'd hoped it would be. Recorded in 1962, it features a trio comprised of Oscar Peterson (Piano), Ray Brown (Bass) and Ed Thigpen (Drums). I'm least familiar with Thigpen (didn't he save 50 games for the ChiSox once?), and most familiar with Brown. I like the playing of all three very much.

Peterson is very obviously the leader here, and his piano is featured very prominently. Brown and Thigpen offer nice backing sounds (I especially like the sound of Thigpen's cymbals), while Peterson plays very energetically over the top.

The disc features seven tracks: "Something's Coming" "Somewhere" "Jet Song" "Tonight" "Maria" "I Feel Pretty" and "Reprise", clocking in at a rather short 35 minutes.

As the liner notes discuss, the problem Peterson faced with this LP was to take music composed as a score and make it work in a jazz setting. It had to be opened up for improvisation without losing "the essence of the music." I think he's accomplished both. There is room in the arrangements for the trio to work out, but at the same time the original feeling of the music (as presented in its Broadway and film soundtracks) is preserved.

A brilliant example of how a great song can be recontextualized and remain a great song.

The Oscar Peterson discography is so immense that it's difficult to sort through the entries. If you're looking for a first purchase, "West Side Story" is a good pick, particularly if you are a fan of the original broadway or film soundtrack.

Piano playing seemed to come so easily for Peterson that at times on records I've had the feeling he's going through the paces. When he is at his best, though, he swings clean and hard and demonstrates he knows a tune inside and out. That is the case throughout this release. And he's not afraid to turn some of the tunes in different directions. For example, he steps up the tempo on "Tonight," a potentially risky move on an extremely romantic song, but the move works as Peterson, backed up by Ray Brown's steady bass and Ed Thigpen's tasteful drums, never falters.

On the other hand, the pianist does not shy away from the lyricism of "Somewhere," accenting the theme with ornate chording that mines the yearning and sadness that is at the heart of "West Side Story." And he finds a relaxed, loping gait on "Jet Song," a pace that for me captures the cheerful arrogance of the play's street gang.

Interpretations of "West Side Story" have been attempted before, most notably Dave Liebman's more experimental effort a few years back. For me, Peterson's approach is the more successful of the two in that I think he came closer to finding the pulse of the original work. This is a good addition to the mainstream section of your jazz piano collection.

I already love the soundtrack to West Side Story, and the thought of redoing it never even crossed my mind. Then I saw Oscar Peterson in concert in Oakland, CA at Yoshis and being caught up in the moment after the show I bought this CD. It is simply one of the greatest CDs of all time. Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and Ed Thigpen bring new life to a soundtrack that didn't even need "new life," but it is simply amazing. If you like jazz at all and/or like West Side Story this is a MUST buy. Oscar Peterson does not let down and brushes those keys with such feeling that it will take you aback. He is truly one of the last living "greats" and everyone needs to buy this CD. Like a previous review said...the only negative about this album is that America was not included but that's alright. Even if you're not into jazz, after listening to this...you just might be.

and nearly everyone in the workplace mourned the day I took it off the cd changer. It resonates with a lyrical sadness and beauty rarely accomplished in jazz. It would seem to have touched one who sat in the voice room, as well.

Oscar Peterson has found the perfect balance between staying true to the leonard bernstein soundtrack and jazz improv... its heaven and I could listen to it for hours on end...

I was stuck at the warped tour, a punk rock concert, in traffic when a group of kids asked me if I had any classical music...all I had was this, so I gave it to them, and those punks loved it.

Oscar Petersen's jazz version of Bernstein's West Side Story on all seven selections should be in everyone's collection. Ray Brown's bass and Ed Thigpen' drums round out the trio. As the liner notes say, This is the trio making jazz, Listen . What a soul this remarkable living legend obviously possesses.If great jazz is important to, do yourself a good deed, and get hold of a copy. Trust me, you will never regret it.

I have been a fan of Oscar Peterson since the time I walked into a record shop in the early 60's and this album was playing. I immediately said the the clerk, "Who is that?" That was my first OP album and I think this is the BEST of his work. I fell in love with it and also had to have the CD for my car.

His arrangements and phrasing are a work of art!

Dear sirs, as for this Amazon-like music, Oscar Peterson arranged the signature tune of an interesting movie left in the history in Jazz, but I am grand, and it is finished by his technique. I think that I am very splendid. I heard that there is this DVD, but if there is it, I want to watch it, but I want you to examine it with Amazon and ask. Yours sincerely,

I rushed out to buy this album when I was a kid, played it nonstop, have loved it ever since and heard one of the arrangements performed last night.
The freshness and brilliance has not been lost. The Jet Song is so tight utilizing tradeoffs with Ray Brown (maybe the best bass player ever?) is incredible.
The idea of reworking these songs in a jazz format was brilliant. As another reviewer noted, even if you aren't drawn to jazz this CD is worth having.

one of the very best trio albums of all time! these musicians were joined with some of the greatest & most difficult music to play, & they nailed it! highly recommended!