Album Reviews

Oscar the entertainer, Oscar the speed demon, Oscar the classicist, Oscar the sensitive listener, Oscar the composer, Oscar the nimble. All the Oscars you know and love were onstage in Helsinki's Kulttuuritalo concert hall, November 17th, 1987 along with Joe Pass, Dave Young and Martin Drew for an evening of great entertainment and music making recorded by the Finnish Broadcasting Company.

The set opens with a crowd pleasing Peterson original "Cool Walk" that lets the group warm up by going round and round on the chord changes. Not much going on there that's not showing off, but give the concert a chance to unfold as it does over six sides and you will be treated to the same exhilarating evening the Fins enjoyed that night, which was the European tour's finale.

Following side 1's pleasing exhibitionism the group settles in for Peterson's Bach inspired "Love Ballade" with Peterson and Pass trading graceful lines anchored by Young's electric bass on which he also trades melodic ideas with the two P's. It's 10 minutes of beauty followed by "Cakewalk" a joyride that concludes with Peterson sounding like an out of control player piano having the time of its life. Pass takes all of the hairpin turns and stays on the road..

One side is a salute to Bach (Young switches to double bass), another holds a Duke Ellington medley, another covers standards like "How High the Moon", "A Time For Love" and Benny Goodman's "Soft Winds". On side "F" Peterson covers "Waltz For Debby", "When You Wish Upon a Star" and the concert concludes with Peterson's "Blues Etudes". Listening to Peterson and Pass trade licks and challenge each other is enjoyable every play.

The sound is spectacular: dynamic, timbrally honest with deep bass and honest extension on top. It's closely miked with just a kiss of hall sound. Even the audience applause is extremely well recorded. A guaranteed rousing evening musically and sonically. The credits are incomplete but probably recorded to tape, mixed to hi-rez digital with lacquers cut by Chris Muth. Pressed on transparent blue vinyl at RTI.

Great fun, much needed right now. The album is available directly from the Oscar Peterson Store.