I’ve always wanted to do a radio show on the CBC called “The Oscar Perterson Hour”, in which I would play nothing but Oscar Peterson cds, and wax lyrical about the life and times of this jazz giant. I was even going to affect a low raspy voice like Ross Porter, who does a program called “After Hours”. I’d really recommend his show btw, you can listen to it live at 10pm here. Unfortunately they don’t have a podcast of this show, which would be easier.
Anyway, as for my hypothetical program, I figured that, as the most famous Canadain jazz player, the CBC would be the place to air. However, given that I know nothing about the radio business, and really not that much about jazz either or even Oscar Peterson, other than that he lives in Ontario and pushes piano keys faster than something that pushes things really fast, hmmm, like a 15 year old on a play station? So, I thought it likely that the management at the CBC might choose to limit me in some way, thus “The Oscar Peterson half-Hour”.
When the CBC finally does call, I’ll be ready with the following three cds that are my favorites. As they appear in this post, from top to bottom, Soul Español, Night Train, and We Get Requests. I have quite a few Oscar Peterson cds, he usually seems to play as part of the “Oscar Peterson Trio” which went though a couple incarnations I think. In the early incarnation of the trio, Peterson plays with Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums. That’s what you get on Night Train and We Get Requests. Soul Español is a latin themed album where Peterson plays with Sam Jones on Bass, Henley Gibson on Congas, Marshall Thompson on Timbales, Harold Jones on Percussion and Louis Hayes on Drums.
The Oscar Peterson Trio also did a number of records with guest stars. I have one with Louis Armstrong that brings tears to my eyes, because the quality of the recording is so bad that I weep at the loss. It sounds like Armstrong’s mike was mistakenly placed in the control booth or something. When compared with the recording of the The Great Summit, or anything recorded by Rudy Van Geldar its, well, disappointing. These three albums have excellent sound and fidelity, We Get Requests has the best sound followed by Night Train and Soul Español.
These records are what I would call, essential Oscar Peterson. Buy them now, by clicking on my album image links, so that I can scam a few percent on the transaction.
12 November 2006
| Jazz, Music
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