Count Basie Encounters Oscar Peterson - Satch and Josh

Satch and Josh Review

 

by Scott Yanow

Producer Norman Granz occasionally got carried away with the quantity of his recording projects. In 1974 he recorded a full album teaming fellow pianists Count Basie and Oscar Peterson in a rhythm quintet; little did anyone realize that this then-unique matchup would eventually result in five albums. This first one, which finds Basie doubling on organ, is among the best. Peterson's virtuosic style somehow worked very well with Basie's sparse playing and these ten numbers really  swing. 

AllMusic

Count Basie 

Encounters 

Oscar Peterson

Satch and Josh       

1. "Buns" (Count Basie, Oscar Peterson) - 4:35
2. "These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)" (Harry Link, Holt Marvell, Jack Strachey) - 5:42
3. "R.B." (Basie, Peterson) - 5:34
4. "Burnin'" (Basie, Peterson) - 4:13
5. "Exactly Like You" (Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh) - 6:18
6. "Jumpin' at the Woodside" (Basie) - 2:53
7. "Louie B." (Basie, Peterson) - 6:20
8. "Lester Leaps In" (Lester Young) - 4:07
9. "Big Stockings" (Basie, Peterson) - 4:27
10. "S & J Blues" (Basie, Peterson) - 7:52

• Count Basie - piano, organ
• Oscar Peterson - piano
• Freddie Green - guitar
• Ray Brown - double bass
• Louie Bellson - drums
• Benny Green - liner notes
• Norman Granz - producer

Recorded December 2, 1974, Group IV Recording Studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.