The Oscar Peterson Trio – At Zardi's Vol I

The Oscar Peterson Trio at Zardi's Review

 

by Scott Yanow

The group that Oscar Peterson led between 1953-58 with guitarist Herb Ellis and bassist Ray Brown was one of the great piano trios of all time. It was never so much a matter of Peterson having two other musicians accompany him as it was that they could meet the pianist as near-equals and consistently inspire him. And unlike most trios, Peterson's had many arranged sections that constantly needed rehearsals and were often quite dazzling. This live double-CD from 1955 has previously unreleased (and unknown) performances of 31 songs (28 standards plus three of Peterson's originals) that were released for the first time in 1994. The pianist is often in typically miraculous form, Ellis (whether playing harmonies, offering short solos or getting his guitar to sound like a conga by tapping it percussively) proves to be a perfect partner, and Brown's subtle but sometimes telepathic contributions should not be overlooked either. 

The Oscar Peterson Trio   

At Zardi's  

Vol I A1 Sunday 00:00 A2 I've Got You Under My Skin 04:29 A3 Herbie's Tune 08:18 A4 There's A Small Hotel 13:22 A5 How High The Moon 19:02 A6 Noreen's Nocture 22:25 B1 I Was Doing Allright 27:32 B2 So In Love 32:46 B3 Big Fat Mama 36:44 B4 The Way You Look Tonight 42:51 B5 Begin The Beguine 47:37 C1 Easy Does It 51:10 C2 Will You Still Be Mine 57:50 C3 Laura 01:02:12 C4 Roy's Tune 01:08:50 Piano – Oscar Peterson Bass – Ray Brown Guitar – Herb Ellis Recorded

Hollywood

California

1955