Sound of the Trio: Vme Series
Oscar Peterson's trio withRay Brownon bass and Ed Thigpen on drums were frequent visitors to Chicago's London House in the early Sixties, and the restaurant provides a comfortable setting for these live recordings from 1961. It's a tight-knit band, thoroughly rehearsed but also quick to respond to one another's inspirations. The closeness shows on these often extended performances, with Thigpen's bright drumming a clear inspiration to Peterson. His hard-driving improvisations pushOscar Pettiford's boppish "Tricrotism" and his own "Kadota's Blues" past the 11-minute mark. Brown has always been Peterson's closest musical partner, his springy rhythm and melodic fluency perfect complements to the pianist's explosive technique, and these tunes provide plenty of solo space for the bassist, as well. The five additional tracks include a sprightly take on "Scrapple from the Apple" and a version ofDuke Ellington's "Band Call" that has big-band power.--Stuart Broomer