Search - Various Artists :: Jazz Round Midnight: Piano

This Album Evokes An Atmosphere of Days Gone By

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 03/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Feed your auditory sense with the most luxurious collection of lovely and charming melodies as played by the greatest jazz pianists of all-time such as Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Nat King Cole, Teddy Wilson, Beryl Booker, Marian McPartland from among others. Listening to this CD, "Jazz 'Round Midnight: Piano" with its fifteen spellbinding jazz tunes evokes cherished and permanently glued memories of days gone by.



The pristine smoothness of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" will leave you breathless with Oscar Peterson's splendid and to-die-for interpretation. He is supported by Major Holley on bass. Bill Evans sparkles with his delicate piano riffs as he plays "Danny Boy" accompanied by Monty Budwig on bass and Shelly Manne on drums. "As Time Goes By" is artfully played by Teddy Wilson with bassist Gene Ramsey and drummer Jo Jones. Beryl Booker flawlessly plays "Let's Fall In Love" with John Collins on guitar and Oscar Pettford on bass.



Nat King Cole, Buddy Rich and Lester Young beautifully play together in "Mean To Me" while Bernard Peiffer shows off his creativity in "Willow Weep For Me" backed by Jean-Marie Ingrand on bass and Baptiste Reilles on drums. Barry Harris superbly plays one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's gems "If I Loved You," with George Duvivier on bass and Roy Brooks on drums. Bud Powell's masterpiece "Moonlight In Vermont" is also a treat to the ears with George Duvivier on bass and Art Taylor on drums. There's a natural glow in his piano playing style. Never to be outshined is Marian Mc Partland's performance in Hoagy Carmichael's "New Orleans" backed by Linc Milliman on bass.



I've had this CD since 1995 and I never fail to listen to its sheer beauty. Its sparkling tunes mixed with the jazz pianists' dazzling virtuosity can't just go unnoticed. This is the kind of music that is so enjoyable today as it was yesterday, and will continue to be so delectable in the years to come.



Enjoy this album with the sweet smell of Spring, my favorite time of the year when every thing sparkles and turns into something beautiful!



Happy Listening!"