Jazz / Bop; Swing
Recorded: May 10, 1965-Oct 30, 1968
In 1995, this CD came out with a dozen previously unheard titles by pianist Oscar Peterson from his famed "Exclusively for My Friends" private party performances made for MPS in the 1960s. Peterson is heard on four songs with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen, while on the remaining eight, he heads a trio also including bassist Sam Jones and drummer Bob Durham. The emphasis throughout is on O.P.'s virtuosity and melodic improvisations. Although the release does not add anything surprising to Peterson's legacy, his playing is up to the level of his other sets of the period; highlights include "Gravy Waltz," "Three O'Clock In the Morning," an 11-minute exploration of "Tenderly" and even "Put On a Happy Face."
---Scott Yanow, allmusic |
