The Oscar Peterson Trio - Walking The Line [26]

Title: The Oscar Peterson Trio - Walking The Line
Year/Genre/Sub-Genre/City: 1971, Jazz, Piano Jazz, Montreal, Canada 11/26
Matrix #: MB 20868
Condition: EX (LM) | Members: Oscar P (25' - 07') | Producer: Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer
Cultural Facts: [26]

1. MPS Caught Him Between Chapters: Walking The Line comes from Peterson's early-70s MPS period, when the Montreal virtuoso was recording in Germany between his famous Verve/Pablo runs with Norman Granz.
2. Jiri Mraz on Bass: Czech bassist Jiri "George" Mraz, who later became a New York first-call player, holds down this trio with drummer Ray Price. European rhythm sections were a real MPS signature.
3. Technique That Scared Other Pianists: Peterson's speed and articulation were so extreme that other jazz pianists openly admitted they avoided cutting sessions with him. Walking The Line still shows that clean, roaring right hand on standards like Teach Me Tonight.