Oscar Peterson Plays the Harold Arlen Songbook
Oscar Peterson · 1959
75 min · 24 tracks · blues · funk · bebop
A masterful blend of jazz improvisation and emotional nuance, celebrating the timeless compositions of Harold Arlen.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic exploration of timeless classics
- wave-like pacing with emotional nuance
- for relaxed evening listening
- captivating improvisation for detail-oriented listeners
Maybe skip if you want
- seeking high-energy instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks over cohesion
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases Peterson's peak artistry in interpreting classic standards with innovation.
- Themes
- jazz improvisation mastery· melodic emotional depth
- Career context
- Released in 1959, during Oscar Peterson's peak as a prominent jazz pianist, this album showcases his ability to interpret standards while drawing from bebop influences. It followed his critically acclaimed album 'Night Train' and solidified his reputation as a leading figure in jazz, known for intricate arrangements and captivating performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bill Evans· Herbie Hancock· McCoy Tyner
- If this clicks, go next to
- Oscar Peterson Plays the Duke Ellington Song book — Continues the theme of celebrating iconic composers with rich jazz interpretations.
- Sounds like this from elsewhere
-
Maiden Voyage by Herbie Hancock — Explores complex harmonies and rich textures, emphasizing emotive jazz storytelling.Now He Sings, Now He Sobs by Chick Corea — Merges advanced jazz techniques with lyrical melodies, echoing thematic sophistication.
Tracklist
New here? Start with "As Long as I Live".
- 1 As Long as I Live Start here 4:22
- 2 I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues 5:08
- 3 Come Rain or Come Shine 4:30
- 4 Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive 3:18
- 5 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 3:11
- 6 I've Got the World on a String 3:52
- 7 It's Only a Paper Moon 3:27
- 8 That Old Black Magic 3:03
- 9 Let's Fall in Love 3:35
- 10 Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time) 3:37
- 11 Blues in the Night 3:52
- 12 Over the Rainbow 3:40
- 13 Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe 2:13
- 14 Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time) 2:42
- 15 Over the Rainbow 2:18
- 16 The Man That Got Away 2:39
- 17 Ill Wind (You're Blowin' Me No Good) 2:33
- 18 Let's Fall in Love 2:21
- 19 As Long as I Live Start here 2:26
- 20 Come Rain or Come Shine 2:37
- 21 Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive 2:01
- 22 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 2:42
- 23 I've Got the World on a String 2:28
- 24 That Old Black Magic 2:57
What to play next
This album is considered a Critical Peak in Oscar Peterson's catalog. Showcases Peterson's peak artistry in interpreting classic standards with innovation.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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