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Oscar Peterson Archive

In Tune – The Oscar Peterson Trio + The Singers Unlimited – MPS

by Audiophile Audition | Feb 13, 2018 | Jazz CD Reviews

In Tune – The Oscar Peterson Trio + The Singers Unlimited – MPS 0212401MSW 32:29****: ( Oscar Peterson Trio : Oscar Peterson – piano; Jiri Mraz – bass; Louis Hayes – drums; The Singers Unlimited : Gene Puerling; Don Shelton; Len Dresslar; Bonnie Herman ) Between 1963 and 1968 and belatedly in 1995 Oscar Peterson along with several iterations of bassists and drummers recorded a series of trio and one solo album that were produced live by Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer for his MPS label, and were held privately by him, and for contractual reason were not available until 1968. More recently an eight CD box set was released that covered the six individual albums plus two volumes of ten tracks comprising the unreleased Lost Tapes. In addition to the above noted sessions, Oscar Peterson also recorded a couple of other albums for MPS including Reunion Blues with Milt Jackson and the subject of this review In Tune with The Singers Unlimited( TSU). Peterson discovered TSU and introduced them to MPS as he believed that their intricate vocal harmonization would have a broad audience. The genesis of TSU was the Hi-Lo’s with two of its members Gene Puerling and Don […]

Oscar Peterson Trio – Walking The Line – MPS vinyl

by Audiophile Audition | Oct 1, 2016 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

Oscar Peterson Trio – Walking The Line – MPS 0210989MSW stereo vinyl, 40:38 (1970/2016) ****: A piano master shines on audiophile vinyl reissue. (Oscar Peterson – piano; Jiri Mraz – double bass; Ray Price ; drums) In a world of legendary jazz pianists, Canadian Oscar Peterson easily stands among his peers as an equal. With eight Grammys, numerous honorary teaching degrees and a sixty year performance career, O.P. brought technical mastery and dynamic elegance to his craft. Among his peers (most notably Ray Charles), he is regarded as the technician who was closest to Art Tatum in pure talent. He participated in duos, quartets and accompanied vocalists like Ella Fitzgerald. But it was his trio work that helped to define the legacy. Peterson’s early recording career made him a valuable addition to Verve records. As with a lot of American jazz players, he migrated to Europe to capitalize on an adoring fan base. It was there where Peterson enjoyed a prolific relationship with MPS (16 albums in 16 years). The label has been reissuing several recordings from their estimable catalog. Among The MPS reissues is a 180-gram version of the 1970 release Walking The Line. The Oscar Peterson Trio (with […]

The Michael Blum Quartet – Chasin’ Oscar – A Tribute To Oscar Peterson – Michael Blum Music

by Audiophile Audition | Jun 19, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

The Michael Blum Quartet – Chasin’ Oscar – A Tribute To Oscar Peterson – Michael Blum Music, 46:32 ***: A well-meaning divertimento. (Michael Blum – guitar and vocals; Jim Stinnett – bass; Brad Smith – piano; Dom Moio – drums) There is an old proverb which states: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery“. That being said, it would be impossible to exaggerate Michael Blum’s dedication to these words, as he has taken a number of Oscar’s pieces, and learned his piano solos note for note by ear, to be played on the guitar. Anyone who has listened to Oscar understands what a daunting challenge that would be, as there was not a note that Oscar did not like. The result is the album Chasin’ Oscar A Tribute To Oscar Peterson which is a diverting exposition and musical exploration. While this is a clever musical feat, the question should be asked to what end? And if a listener wanted to hear such playing, why not go to the original Oscar Peterson material and listen to the master himself? However the more reasonable explanation is that Blum loved the music and was fascinated by the unbridled technique of the originator. Beginning […]