SUTC Oscar Peterson

Oscar Peterson made two trips through the Gershwin repertoire, one in 1952 and another in 1959 after the advent of stereo. As with Oscar Peterson Plays the Duke Ellington Songbook, this disc compiles both sessions, the earlier one with a trio of guitarist Barney Kessel and bassist Ray Brown, the later one with Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen. The later session is programmed first. The earlier group drew its conception from the Nat "King" Cole trio, a lightly swinging blend that benefits from a third highly adept soloist in Kessel. The later group is more conventional, but it sometimes draws meatier, more forceful playing from an older Peterson. The contrast is apparent in the two versions of "It Ain't Necessarily So." On both sessions, the emphasis is on the tunes, and Peterson sparkles on uptempos and ballads alike



Personnel:

Oscar Peterson, piano;

Ed Thigpen, drums;

Ray Brown, bass



Oscar Peterson Plays the George Gershwin Song Book tracks:

01 It Ain't Necessarily So

02 The Man I Love

03 Love Walked in

04 I Was Doing All Right

05 A Foggy Day

06 Oh Lady be Good

07 Love is Here to Stay

08 They All Laughed

09 Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

10 Summertime

11 Nice Work if You Can Get it

12 Shall We Dance