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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Recorded in 1956 and adding two bonus tracks to the original issue, At The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is one of Oscar Peterson's most celebrated CDs. A definitive set of performances by the pianist's first great trio, with guitarist Herb Ellis and bassist Ray Brown, it abounds no less in melodic harmonic invention than in power. Almost every track is a masterpiece, but particular mention must be made of "How About You", at once electrifying and light-footed, "Swingin' on a Star" (as witty as blistering) and, perhaps especially, the slow-burning, eventually tumultuous "Love You Madly". -- Richard Palmer
Product Description
Although Peterson, Ellis and Brown recorded many previous dates together as part of larger formations (both as a quartet with different drummers, and as part of groups including winds and singers) since 1952, their first preserved trio set dates from September 19, 1953, when they were recorded at Carnegie Hall during a Jazz at the Philharmonic concert. The present performance, recorded in Ontario, Canada, during the city s annual Shakespearean Festival (Peterson was visiting his native country; he was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on August 15, 1925, and died in Ontario, on December 23, 2007, at the age of 82). As Peterson himself explained in the original liner notes, the trio performed at the Festival for two nights, on August 7 and 8, 1956. While the first nine selections of our CD were recorded during the second night (and were issued on the original LP), the last two belong to the initial performance. Peterson considered this one of the best recordings of the trio.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
The trio in this recording consists of Oscar Paterson, Ray Brown and Herb Ellis. Ed Thigpen is not on the recording.
John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet assisted the recording engineer and, on the sleeve notes for the original LP recording Oscar Peterson says "I have never felt more relaxed and at ease at a recording session as I have at this one, and I feel that it shows in my playing"
This must surely be one of the very best small group recordings by any group, anywhere. The technical performance is well nigh faultless, the artistic invention is boundless and the varied approach to the different numbers creates an unforgettable mixture of music by master musicians at the height of their powers.
This must be the ultimate Peterson trio performance and, although nearly 50 years old [1956], I don't believe it has ever been bettered. If you are interested in small group jazz (or any kind of music), buy it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By S J Buck
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
This is the best recording of Oscar Petersons first great trio. Herb Ellis is on Guitar and Ray Brown bass. In the mold of the Nat King Cole trio this is a drummerless trio and all the better for it. The interplay between the musicians is simply amazing and if when you listen to a track like "52nd Street Theme" you don't appreciate whats going on then its obvious Jazz isn't your thing. There are breakneck unison lines played by Piano and Guitar and quite how Ray Brown kept the bass going at that tempo is simply unbelievable.
As the title indicates this is a live recording and so there is also a great atmosphere. You can you hear this most clearly on the brilliant "Love You Madly" where the crowd react to Petersons tumultuous playing and the fact that you can hear him growling away to himself, which at one point makes the crowd laugh!
This is a wonderful album, and certainly in my top ten Peterson albums.
As the title indicates this is a live recording and so there is also a great atmosphere. You can you hear this most clearly on the brilliant "Love You Madly" where the crowd react to Petersons tumultuous playing and the fact that you can hear him growling away to himself, which at one point makes the crowd laugh!
This is a wonderful album, and certainly in my top ten Peterson albums.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It was the mid 60's....I was a young musician in my teens playing piano and guitar at that time - mostly pop music (Cliff and the Shadows ect)but just getting into jazz. Walking down a street one day my friend and I (a drummer) came across a second hand /junk shop with a pile of records on a stall out the front. I thumbed through the pile just to see what it contained and found this old LP - I saw it had both a piano player (I'd heard of Oscar but didn't know much about him - don't forget these were early days in jazz ) and Herb Ellis - another name I'd also come across as he was pictured in my 1962 Gibson Guitar catalogue.
I took a chance and payed (i think) seven shilling and sixpence to the owner of the shop... At that time I already had a few 'pop' singles but this was my FIRST EVER purchase of a jazz record...
Got home later and put the record on and 'WOW' - what great music...
To this day I often play tracks from this superb set (I've now got the CD version)and not only does it still sound great after all this time but brings back so many early memories of those earlier years....
I can honestly say that this record had a great effect on me and changed my musical path forever... To this very day it is a masterpiece of jazz at its very best...
I took a chance and payed (i think) seven shilling and sixpence to the owner of the shop... At that time I already had a few 'pop' singles but this was my FIRST EVER purchase of a jazz record...
Got home later and put the record on and 'WOW' - what great music...
To this day I often play tracks from this superb set (I've now got the CD version)and not only does it still sound great after all this time but brings back so many early memories of those earlier years....
I can honestly say that this record had a great effect on me and changed my musical path forever... To this very day it is a masterpiece of jazz at its very best...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just marvelous!
I bought this after listening to the NPR podcasts on Jazz legends, and I must say I have since been listening to this with increasing joy. Read more
Published 8 months ago by J. Schmuecker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best of the best
Oscar Peterson has to have been the greatest of the jazz pianists. Everything he ever played swung like crazy. Read more
Published on 17 July 2010 by Mr. H. A. Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oscar's Best Recording
Oscar Peterson said that he thought that the trio was very relaxed during this performance, and as a result, this recording was probably the best they had made to date. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2009 by Gordon Clay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great!!!
More fantastic music from The Trio, this time accompanied by guitarist Herb Ellis. These four really do make a fabulous sound! How do they do it?! Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2002
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