Oscar Peterson Night Train CD

Master jazz pianist Oscar Peterson had his longest-running trio with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen, and NIGHT TRAIN may be their finest moment. The repertoire here is comprised mostly of standards, although the choices seem deliberate. In treatments of jazz chestnuts like "C-Jam Blues" and "Georgia On My Mind," the trio works inside these well-known songs, painting over familiar colors and re-working traditional melodies, while staying true to the spirit of each tune. The chemistry between Thigpen, Brown, and Peterson is unassailable. Peterson, in particular, is at the top of his game here, running the whole history of jazz through his dexterous, nimble fingers with an in-the-pocket ease not always apparent on his earlier recordings.

NIGHT TRAIN was produced by Norman Granz, who had already sold Verve Records to MGM, but continued to record his favorite artists, of whom Peterson was one. The production is superb, and translates especially well via remastering. The Verve re-issue features additional tracks, including alternate takes, rehearsals, full versions of "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" and "Volare," and an incomplete take of Charlie Parker's "Now's the Time." New packaging, expanded liner notes, and photographs make the 1997 CD version of NIGHT TRAIN a keeper.

Additional Tracks

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California on December 16, 1962.

Oscar Peterson Trio: Oscar Peterson (piano); Ray Brown (bass); Ed Thigpen (drums).Down Beat (9/97, p.54) - 4 stars (out of 5) - "...[Peterson's] speed and flow are spotlit and the trio fits together with unparalleled grace..."