This Verve series is fun – each disc is an ‘Ultimate’ set of an artist’s songs, as chosen by another famous jazz musician. For example, the Clifford Brown set was selected by Nicholas Payton (yes!), Billie Holiday was chosen by Shirley Horn (yes!), Lester Young was selected by Wayne Shorter (yes!), etc. Amazing, I love it.
This Oscar Peterson set features songs chosen by bassist Ray Brown. I know! Brown, who played in trios with Peterson for 14 years, said, “Oscar had a power, he could play soft… and he could swing. He has that great command of the piano.” No kidding, brother!
There’s no arguing with Peterson’s talent. He was so strong and spectacular that the listener has the ease of just sitting back and marvelling as the songs wash over and infuse themselves into your brain. And of course, the track selection is perfect:
Sometimes I’m Happy / Love You Madly / In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning / Reunion Blues / Waltz For Debby / Blues For Big Scotia / Jet Song / Noreen’s Nocturne / Mumbles / Chicago
Bliss. I cannot stop playing this disc. So much gorgeousness, so much taste, incredible playing…
I’ll just leave track one here to lift your soul and leave you wanting more:
keepsmealive 
Sold…been wanting to add some Oscar to the collection, this looks like a start.
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Yes indeed! In fact, ANY Oscar is a great place to start! 🙂
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Oscar is a regular over at my pad. Just watched a cool doc. ‘We Knew What We Had”. It’s about the jazz scene in Pittsburgh. Ray Brown was one of many great musicians from that town and of coarse they talked about his connection with Oscar. Ray is probably on more pieces of music I have than anyone else (Maybe Ron Carter). I’m listening to the piece you posted. What can I say? How about “That sounds real good”
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I NEED TO SEE THAT DOC! Oh my goodness.
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So many good jazz docs. That piece I sent you on the Hawk was a companion to a one of my faves. ‘A Great Day In Harlem’. If you haven’t seen it check it out.
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I know, I want to see them all… that AGDIH, was that the story of the famous picture with everybody in it? I think we saw that one…
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Yup that’s the one. Some cool things in that. A couple Monk things. A fave.
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Right on!
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It’s almost like someone has been buying up all the jazz he can find!
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It seems that way, and it’s a worthy mission!
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This Oscar ain’t no Grouch!
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He sure ain’t! This Oscar makes sweet, sweet jazz…
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A nice soul-lifting track is a fine way to start the day!
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You can always trust Oscar to be there for you when your soul needs a lift, Geoff!
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Yeah… that’s pretty perfect Sunday morning stuff right there.
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Yup, Sunday morning, Tuesday afternoon… anytime! This disc is simply gorgeous. I’m hoping to find more in this series!
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I wish you luck in your search!
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Thanks!
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