Oscar PETERSON - Reunion Blues 1971

Oscar PETERSON - Reunion Blues 1971
Label: MPS / Verve
Recorded at: MPS Studio, Villingen, Germany (1971)

Jazz
  
Another classic reissue for Oscar Petersons 80th Birthday (two years ago now). This album was recorded in 1971 and not only features Ray Brown on Bass and Louis Hayes on drums, but also the great Milt Jackson on Vibes.

The album kicks off with a version of Satisfaction (the Stones tune). Jackson and Peterson take good solos, but I wonder if they really wanted this on the album because there is a fade at the end of the track, which is quite unusual for a Jazz album. Maybe the producers wanted it, rather than the musicians. However the remaining tracks are firmly jazz standards. Theres a fine version of "Someday my Prince will come". "When I Fall In Love" is a beautifully played ballad where all the musicians shine and it might be the best track on the album.
The album finishes with "Red Top" a lovely medium tempo blues which at this tempo allows Peterson and Jackson to both play great solos with Peterson really building up quite a head steam.
Sadly not only have Milt Jackson and Ray Brown died in the last 10 years, but the original producer of the album Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer also died in 2004 shortly before this reissue was released. He was responsible for the great sound on all of Oscar Petersons MPS albums from the late 60's and early 70's.

This isn't as good as the album "Very Tall" recording in the early 60's, which has a better version of "Reunion blues" on it, but give this album a few listens and you'll be hooked I promise.
By  S.J. Buck.
**
Pianist Oscar Peterson joins up with his old friends, vibraphonist Milt Jackson and bassist Ray Brown, in addition to his drummer of the period, Louis Hayes, for a particularly enjoyable outing. After a throwaway version of the Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," the all-star quartet performs Jackson's title cut, Benny Carter's ballad "Dream of You," and four standards. Although not up to the excitement of Peterson's best Pablo recordings of the 1970s, this is an enjoyable album.
By Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.
**
Oscar Peterson- Piano
Milt Jackson- Vibraphone
Ray Brown- Bass
Louis Hayes- Drums
**
01. Satisfaction 3.57
02. Dream Of You 4.15
03. Someday My Prince Will Come 6.10
04. Time For Love 5.26
05. Reunion Blues 6.37
06. When I Fall In Love 5.13
07. Red Top 8.45
**
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