Oscar Peterson

Oscar Peterson's relationship with producer Hans Georg Bruner-Schwer was a fruitful endeavor, producing many exciting albums during the 1960s and early '70s. This edition of Tristeza on Piano benefits even more than earlier issues, as it has remastered 24-bit sound and updated liner notes by Richard Palmer(who worked with Peterson on his autobiography). Throughout the session, Peterson alternates between jaw-dropping virtuosity and lyrical performances. With bassist Sam Jones and drummer Bobby Durham (oddly listed as Bob Durham), the pianist opens with a thunderous take of "Tristeza," following it with his delicate bossa nova "Nightingale." He romps through a brisk setting of "You Stepped Out of a Dream" (which features Jones' adept bass), though the most surprising track may be the lengthy workout of "Down Here on the Ground," the title song from the film Cool Hand Luke. This edition also restores a track deleted in order to fit three albums onto the earlier compilation Three Originals. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide