Amidst the trio recordings of the Exclusively For My Friends series, Vol. 4 stands out as being very special. It is Peterson's first ever solo album, and in the truest sense of the word, he can totally display his abilities on the keyboard, inspired by the ideal recording conditions he found in Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer's Villingen studio. Not without reason, these recordings are still regarded as a revelation to Peterson fans today, because all of his skills can be ideally studied across the nine tracks. There are the magnificent, Art Tatum indebted runs of "Someone to Watch over Me", the fervid and intricate rhythms of "Perdido", and the smart pedal work of "Body and Soul". In “Bye, Bye Blackbird”, he develops a showcase of themes and improvisation, while the lovely miniature “Lulu's Back in Town” is presented full of humor. He reveals which tricks can lend an evergreen personal notes on "Take the 'A' Train". But the quiet side of Peterson is also there, with the sensitive reflection of "Who Can I Turn To", or the overwhelming nocturnal tenderness of "Little Girl Blue". "The best jazz piano album ever made" was the contemporary verdict of Canadian author, Gene Lees.
Artist:
Oscar Peterson - piano solo
Listen to music samples
01. Someone To Watch Over Me | 02. Perdido | 03. Body And Soul |
| 04. Who Can I Turn To | 05. Bye, Bye Blackbird | 06. I Should Care |
| 07. Lulu's Back In Town | 08. Little Girl Blue | 09. Take The 'A' Train |
2 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
-
Highly recommended!
This is the highest peak of jazz-piano that can not be said! I have to listen to you!
-
One of my favorite Peterson solo albums!
The music is Peterson at his best. While I love his playing in a trio setting, especially with Ray Brown on bass and either Herb Ellis on guitar or Ed Thigpen on drums, this solo album allows him to stand out and shine. And that he does.
