Tracks [Remastered] - Oscar Peterson

...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's) - it's plain and in no way persuaded me to pick it up. If anything it put me off, but don't let it put you off trying it!

...
...progress anywhere like the other tracks do.

'''10) Just A Giglo'''

The repeated notes here really are a reminder of the physical action of playing as the piano string resonates. Its small touches like this that bring Peterson's pieces to life and don't allow them to be simply jazz 'tracks' stuck on an LP from the 70s.

'''In Conclusion'''

Oscar Peterson's 'Tracks' is as listenable now as ... more

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's) - it's plain and in no way persuaded me to pick it up. If anything it put me off, but don't let it put you off trying it!

This album is produced in the conventional format with only one Disc, so there are no extra freebies here. The sleevenotes are nice and comprehensive though, with the original LP sleevenotes included as well which is a nice touch for those interested in the history or context of the music.

The Music

'Tracks' is a ten track disc, and I feel it would be useful to talk about each track in detail…

01) Give Me The Simple Life

With an abrupt start the jerky opening 'Give Me The Simple Life' shifts between staccato chords and fluid runs along the keyboard. As the piece progresses these two styles merge to form one technically brilliant piece as Peterson sounds as though he is playing two instruments at once. The difference in style between the left and right hand is enormous, but they merge and overlap to make a rhythm-pushing piece that you can't help but tap along to. I wouldn't say this piece inspires any great emotions in me as neither style reaches a climax as such, but the musicality of it is incredible.

02) Basin Street Blues

With a much slower tempo to the opening track, this piece mooches along with a certain swagger. Playing on the clashes in intonation - pushing mild atonality at times - this piece is simultaneously traditionally melodious and slightly experimental. About halfway through the piece the tempo picks up slightly and the whole tune becomes more upbeat and some of the melodies briefly hint at sounding rather familiar.

03) Honeysuckle Rose

What I've failed to mention so far about this album is that there is no-one but Peterson. Every track is a solo track and the only accompaniment is what he creates himself on the piano. Each track retains a certain percussiveness in at least one of the lines. Track 3 picks up the lines of the walking bass at certain points and then drops it to move on to the harmonies, but the idea is never forgotten and the odd note is picked up here and there. This isn't my favourite track on this album because the melody doesn't seem to sustained, but its worth listening to to hear Peterson change between different rhythms and styles with such ease.

04) Dancing On The Ceiling

Track 4 is positively Classical with Peterson's use of light little trills and the big open chords that open this piece. To be honest I'm not sure I could imagine dancing on the ceiling to this, but it's a lovely chilled out piece and I can certainly imagine relaxing in the bath with a glass of red wine to this!

05) A Child Is Born

Playing with the main theme here, Peterson gently guides the listener into his improvised mullings around it's shape. This track is much less busy than the others on the album so far and its simplicity makes it a great track to listen to as an introduction to Peterson in my opinion. The quality and skill of his playing is truly exposed in this piece and every change he makes from the main melody sounds so natural. Beautiful.

06) If I Should Lose You

Personally I disliked this piece when I first heard it, but about two and a half minutes in the tone of the piece becomes much more innovative and up-to-date. At one point it sounds positively Bad Plusian (if I'm allowed to coin such a term), which is an unexpected change from the rest of the album. A wonderful piece after the first two minutes of rather odd and fragmented changes!

07) A Little Jazz Exercise

The one original track on the album. This is Oscar Peterson showing off to be honest. But boy he can play, so we'll allow him. Perhaps a little twee inplaces, but 'A Little Jazz Exercise' is good fun to listen to as Peterson plays with rhythms and melodies and moves his fingers at lightening speed.

08) Django

At this point the whole album slows up once more. Peterson plays with a far more mournful and bluesey lyrical style here and it makes a wonderful contrast to the comparatively trivial track before.

09) Ja-Da

With a similar tempo to 'Django', 'Ja-Da' turns the notes on their heads and presents a hopeful little tune. Not my favourite on the album, but that's not to say that it's a bad tune, just that the rest of the album is fantastic! I just feel it doesn't progress anywhere like the other tracks do.

10) Just A Giglo

The repeated notes here really are a reminder of the physical action of playing as the piano string resonates. Its small touches like this that bring Peterson's pieces to life and don't allow them to be simply jazz 'tracks' stuck on an LP from the 70s.

In Conclusion

Oscar Peterson's 'Tracks' is as listenable now as it was when it was first released. Each track as something different to offer and its melodies are so delicious that even the uninitiated (such as myself) can appreciate them.

The CD is available for around £8 on Amazon at the moment which might sound quite a bit for a thirty year old recording, but the digital remastering means that it sounds new and fresh and is certainly worth investing in.

Thanks for reading!

©tac20 

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