Pianist Oscar Peterson made so many recordings for Norman Granz's Pablo label (and was so consistent) that while all of his records are recommended, it is difficult to pick out any one as the definitive or essential release. This two-CD set (a straight reissue of the original two-LP release) features Peterson with an all-star trio, a unit comprised of guitarist Joe Pass and bassist Niels Pedersen. Just 16 days later Peterson would record The London Concert with a different trio. This time around he mostly sticks to standards but includes three songs associated with Benny Goodman (including the riff-filled "Benny's Bugle"), features Pass (who contributed his original "Gentle Tears") unaccompanied on "Lover Man" and really romps with his fellow virtuosoes on such numbers as "Ornithology,""Donna Lee" and "Sweet Georgia Brown." - Scott Yanow
Tracks
Disc-1
01. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
02. Who Can I Turn To
03. Benny's Bugle
04. Soft Winds
05. Goodbye
06. Place St. Henri
Disc-2
01. Medley: (a) Manha De Carnaval (A Day In The Life Of A Fool), (b) If
02. Ornithology
03. Blue Lou
04. How Long Has This Been Going On
05. Gentle Tears
06. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)
07. Samba De Orfeu (I Want To Live)
08. Donna Lee
09. Sweet Georgia Brown
NIELS-HENNING ØRSTED PEDERSEN double bass
JOE PASS guitar
OSCAR PETERSON piano
Recorded 5 October 1978 at Salle Pleyel, Paris
PABLO LIVE 2PACD-2620-112