Search - Oscar Peterson :: Piano Power

Absolutely incredible...click buy it now...you won't regret

David E. Palmer | 12/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Consulted the new Penguin guide and bought this Proper 4 disc box set and the slightly higher rated (Core Collection) 4 disc Verve box set 'Exclusively for My Friends' at the same time...after listening to both sets nonstop for about a week, I'd have to say while boths sets are awesome and likely the best piano jazz I've heard, I slightly prefer the Proper box set as it feels looser and swings like no other (no accident they dubbed this set 'Piano Power'...it rocks baby). Sound quality is top notch on both sets and the pianos Peterson plays sound and are recorded superbly. Should also mention the Verve box is about twice the moola and the Proper box contains almost one and a half hours more music. After listening to several Proper (and JSP) box sets of late, which pack over an hours worth of music on each of their cd's in their sets, I notice when a cd has a half hours worth of music on it. I would place this box set up quite high in the great Proper and JSP box sets I've heard in the past few months such as the three volumes of Django or Armstrong's 'Hot Fives and Sevens' on JSP or the Charlie Christian, Nat Cole or Dave Brubeck boxes on Proper. Penguin calls this a great introduction to Peterson's early years...I say it's that and much more.

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Budget set, but there are other alternatives

Felix Guerenabarrena | ondarroa, bizkaia Euzkadi | 11/30/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"No disrespect for the previous reviewer, but this set is a budget price collection of the first hanful of albums Oscar Peterson recorded early in his career. The music sounds artificial, due to the abrasive remastering of the original tapes. Indeed, you will be able to hear the piano quite clearly, though with an odd sound, but you won't have the opportunity to do the same thing with the accompaniment.



Instead, both "Exclusively with my friends" and "Live at the Blue Note" sound clear as a bell and with a natural sound.



I just would recommend it to someone who wants a glimpse of what Oscar could do in his first recording years."