Oscar Peterson Christmas, An - Oscar Peterson

Advantages: Fantastic album, range of pieces
Disadvantages: Perhaps a bit expensive for a 30 year old album

...I only got into jazz very recently myself and I thought I'd use the platform of ciao to try and persuade others who may not have listened to it before to give it a go too. The CD I'm reviewing was chosen by me purely on the basis on the fact that I vaguely knew the name of the pianist from other jazz articles I'd read and the fact that I love jazz music where the piano is the main solo instrument. The CD Oscar Peterson's 'Tracks' is not a new release. In fact it was originally released in 1971. The actual CD I'm reviewing has been digitally remastered and the tracks in no way sound dated; either in quality or in musical style. But this is something I will come on to in more detail later on in this review… I have to say the cover to this CD seems uninspiring. Simply showing a side profile of a face (perhaps Peterson... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Escape from the real world
Disadvantages: The music does not last forever

...If you have seen all those flying warriors in 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon', believe me, you'll feel like flying too when you listen to the dreamlike music of this CD. Welcome to the wonderful world of instrumental music! It includes cello, drums, flute... The high tempo of the drum beat in 'Night Fight' makes you want to pick up a sword and fight; the delightful flute music of 'To The South' is so spirit uplifting (remember how the tiny girl smashed up a tea house single-handed?); close your eyes as you listen to 'Though The Bamboo Forest' and you'll see yourself flying; then, the sentimental 'Farewell' has really made me weep. At the end, you'll fall in love with the beautiful song 'A Love Before Time' (this song was competing with Bob Dylan's song for the Best Song Oscar). To escape from the real world, you would play this CD... Read review

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Advantages: Some cracking tracks by big names.
Disadvantages: Couple of tracks that do not belong.

...shows the range of music and some pretty famous names, great stuff. ~~~Song List~~~ Disc: 1 1. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole 2. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye - Ella Fitzgerald 3. We Have All the Time in the World - Louis Armstrong 4. The Look of Love - Diana Krall 5. My Baby Just Cares for Me - Nina Simone 6. Moondance - Van Morrison 7. I Just Want to Make Love to You - Etta James 8. Soul Bossa Nova - Quincy Jones 9. Organ Grinder's Swing - Jimmy Smith 10. Tequila - Wes Montgomery 11. Mas Que Nada - Sergio Mendes 12. Hit the Road Jack - Shirley Horn 13. Yeh Yeh - Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames 14. Cheek to Cheek - Stephane Grapelli 15. Night Train - Oscar Peterson 16. On the Sunny Side of the Street - Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins & Sonny Stitt 17. Stranger on the Shore - Acker Bilk 18. Acknowledgement (A... Read review

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