This is my all time second favorite recording of this song. The first is the OP version he did about this same time in West Germany will Nils, Herb Ellis, and Ed Thigpen. THAT is an epic track. This is so cool. Thanks. Op was the very best there ever was. Period.
Didn’t Nils also play with Bill Evans? I think I’d prefer it if the guitarist played on an acoustic guitar. Much prefer the sound. Personal choice of course.
Il più grande di tutti!!!! joao gilberto diceva che un bravo musicista doveva suonare con poche note, ma OSCAR poteva toccare qualsiasi tasto e lo faceva diventare armonia....grazie per essere esistito.....gigi
Thank you so much for posting this - Ronnie Scott's Club in the 1970s - just incredible. I listened to OP many times but also Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz (the evening I qualified as a doctor), Grappelli and Milt Jackson and Art Blakey and the Buddy Rich Orchestra and more ... all brilliant. And Ronnie's jokes which I really liked .....still do! As students we were allowed in for £1 - before 9.30 with an NUS card! All macro talented and at their prime.
@Oreon207 ; Well said. My father was a Jazz guitarist & spent the majority of his life in the pursuit of Jazz. He took me to see his mentor, Joe Pass who was touring with Oscar at the time. First time I had been to Blues Alley in Georgetown. Watching them play, being in such close proximity to them.....After all these years, I have yet to find words, written or spoken to communicate their effect on me. Prior to this I had not shown interest in jazz & although he never mentioned it (continued)-
Oscar's playing is so fluid, with perfect dynamics. But also, that's some pretty decent guitar by Kessel. My dad took me to see Peterson play an outdoor concert at Old Orchard outside Chicago. I was too young to appreciate it. I've come to learn why my dad loved him so much.
Great!! I'd never seen videos of Peterson playing with Kessel. They had been together in the 50's. This was evidently recorded after Herb Ellis had become a studio musician and Peterson had just met Niels Pedersen after recording "Great Connection" with him. Superb, simply superb...
@1954tele ; (continued) I now realize that he so wanted to share & impart his knowledge of both Jazz & Guitar to his son. My Dad passed away in 1983. I'd like to think he's up there now, in good company, doing what he loved most-....(If so) Dad, I'll never have your talent but it won"t be for lack of passion. Love you...
***** Underrated by who??? Honestly, I've never heard the words "underrated" & "Oscar Peterson" used in the same sentence. Anyone who knows anything about jazz, regards him as arguably the greatest jazz pianist of all time. (with the possible exception of Art Tatum)
He originally modelled his own style on Art Tatum, but as good as Tatum was, Peterson was even better. Phenominal technique. I've seen some of the piano transcripts. It seems he played equally in any key!!
+glen brady I disagree. I think Tatum has slightly better technique, & played a bit cleaner. (especially when playing "stride") Even Peterson said Tatum was his "God". He said Tatum was intimidating to play with, & he didn't really enjoy playing with him. (but still like & envied him as a person & musician) But both guys were on a level that was/is just so far beyond anyone else, the difference between them is negligible.
I was surprised to see Barney Kessel playing guitar with Oscar Peterson. Oscar usually plays with Herb Ellis on guitar. then there was Kessel, Ellis, and Byrd... 3 guitar greats playing together.
wat a trio this is.three monsters at work here.barney and nhop were perfect with oscar as was herb ellis.amazing how much swing you can generate without drums.
This was recorded way after Herb left to be a studio musician. When Ellis left the group (to also deal with his drinking problem) drummer Ed Thigpen joined the band. That lasted until '65 and then OP hired Cannonball's bass/drums. This tour in '74 was simply not to use a drummer.
All I can say is "DAMN"!!! What a great performance!!! Oscar Peterson was such a consummate pianist. Even though he often emulated the great Art Tatum, Oscar had his own unique, bluesy style. He will be forever missed. RIP.
Again,another instance of where the camera man doesn’t get it right..the guitar is soloing and he’s barely seen full front playing his instrument or seen at all..
These guys where all probably high as fuck when they played this music live, or maybe not. Just cuz I am, doesn't mean they where. It just sounds cool as fuck, that's all I know.
@golsno147 I have to disagree. Oscar definitly has his own unique sound. he takes songs and makes them his own.Oscar definitly injected an individual feel if he is able to have his own transcriptions.Listen to how everyone else plays tenderly than listen to Oscar and tell me you cant tell the difference.He completely reharmonizes songs. If thats not injecting individuality in a song I dont know what is.
