Louis Armstrong & Oscar Peterson: Louis Armstrong Meets Oscar Peterson CD Track Listing

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Louis Armstrong & Oscar Peterson Louis Armstrong Meets Oscar Peterson (1957)
1986 Verve Records, Inc.\n\nOriginally Released 1957\nCD Edition Released ????\nRemastered CD Edition Released October 28, 1997\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: An unusual set with Louis Armstrong singing a variety of popular standards in a relaxed and easy-going manner, he is backed by the Oscar Peterson trio and drummer Louis Bellson. Few fireworks occur but the change of pace for Armstrong (who also contributes some brief trumpet solos) is refreshing. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nRelaxin', December 15, 2001 \nReviewer: W T Schusterbauer (West Bloomfield, Michigan United States)\nOn that great Verve album cover, two giants of twentieth century jazz, sitting on plain old barstools, shirtsleeved, about as casual as casual can be.\nA fitting intro to this recording.Satchmo is not encumbered by that saccharine pop stuff of his later years, nor is he too Bourbon Street to bear. Instead, he swings gracefully, wittily, almost effortlessly from track to track, contributing some growls where needed, a little soulful commentary now and then, and, of course, that smile that one almost see in his voice.\n\nHe tackles these standards in a mellow but never vapid way; you've heard most of these songs before, but Armstrong makes you want to listen, makes you hum a little in the car, a few finger pops, and, of course, you find yourself singing along.\n\nO.P.'s trio is exactly what Armstrong needed for an outing like this. As always, they absolutely swing, with wonderful licks from Herb Ellis, Ray Brown's steady but playful bass, and some brushes and softly pulsing rhythm from guest drummer Louie Bellson. \n\nAh, and there's Oscar himself, as relaxed as Armstrong, as casual, even as restrained, because, like Satchmo, on this recording Oscar does not even begin to lapse into self-indulgence or caricature-- as both artists at times tend to do. Nope, O.P. just runs the keyboard in a manner that seems to steady and support Armstrong. These two giants share the spotlight here, with respect for each other and for the music.\n\nThe Trio(plus one) is in sweet form here. Satch sings up a quiet storm, and even contributes a few licks on that always startling, always shining trumpet of his.\n\nBuy it. Add to your O.P. collection, or to your Armstrong collection. Or begin your collection of either or both masters.\nThis is a no-brainer. \n\nHalf.com Album Credits\nHerb Ellis, Contributing Artist\nLouis Bellson, Contributing Artist\nRay Brown, Contributing Artist\nVal Valentin, Engineer\nNorman Granz, Producer\n\nAlbum Notes\nPersonnel: Louis Armstrong (vocals, trumpet); Oscar Peterson (piano); Herb Ellis (guitar); Ray Brown (bass); Louie Bellson (drums).\n\nAll tracks have been digitally remastered.\nThis is part of the Verve Master Edition series.\n\nSince Louis Armstrong just about invented jazz vocals if not popular singing itself, it was inevitable (and fortunate) that someone like producer Norman Granz would set Armstrong down in the studio with a modern '50s combo like Oscar Peterson's trio and watch the seminal musician strut his stuff. Aside from the Dixieland-derived All-Stars live show, Armstrong spent most of the late '40s and early '50s singing it straight for Milt Gabler at Decca Records. Here at Verve in 1957, Satchmo finally gets to ease up a little and stretch those famous gravelly vocal chords on a collection of romantic standards. Unlike Fats Waller, Armstrong rarely undermined the message of a love song with virtuoso clowning. For instance, he provided a wonderfully romantic foil to Ella Fitzgerald on their essential duet sessions. On his own, he proves to be a rhythmically adept contemporary troubadour with such deeply melodic material as "I'll Never Be the Same," "Moon Song," and "You Go to My Head." It should be noted that the earthy Louis gets the last word on the eight-minute version of Cole Porter's "Let's Do It" that closes the set.
This jazz cd contains 16 tracks and runs 70min 49sec.
Freedb: f7109710

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