Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 10/03/1995
Run Time: 44:22
What would in any other instance be a potent
Jazz at the Philharmonic meeting of the minds, the pairing of
Oscar Peterson and
Benny Carter in the studio turns out to be a neat and trim session of mutual respect between these two titans of American music. Six standards and a blues jam has
Peterson deferring to
Carter's alto sax in most instances, as the horn takes the lead with
Peterson happy to follow. Guitarist
Joe Pass seems an afterthought on most of this material, while Toronto bassist
Dave Young and British drummer
Martin Drew turn in a reliable and steady rhythmic performance.
Young is particularly inspired, with big shoes to fill treading footprints of the brilliant
Peterson at the time,
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, and is more than up to the task. Considering his age (almost 80,)
Carter sounds splendid, as lyrical as ever, and with a slight hint of vibrato or legato inflections and flourishes. He sure sounds sweet, whether sighing for
"Sweet Lorraine," combining cool and animated lines during the simple
"It's a Wonderful World," or paralleling
"Melancholy Baby" on
"Whispering." Only for
"Just Friends" does
Peterson lead out, and brilliantly as usual, extrapolating his heart out, with
Carter in late as
Peterson quotes
"Moose the Mooch." Pass does congeal with
Peterson in distinguished classy phrases for
"Baubles, Bangles & Beads" with
Carter using upper register embellishments, while
Pass is the leader on a balanced read of
"If I Had You." The CD ends with a made up
"Some Kind of Blues," with
Peterson flying as only he can, setting up classic solos from
Pass and
Carter. This is a sturdy album, spectacular in spots, consistently tasteful, and swinging from top to bottom.
~Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
;)
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