Oscar Peterson

This release contains the rarely heard 1957 album Soft Sands(Verve), appearing here on CD for the first time ever. The LP showcases Peterson playing romantic ballads backed by the Buddy Bregman orchestra, and singing on four tunes in a style akin to Nat “King” Cole! As a bonus, we have included the complete trio album Plays My Fair Lady(Verve), and a live performance of John Lewis’ “The Golden Striker” that has also never previously appeared on CD.

“I like the way Oscar sings standards, and when I am of a mind to hear them in a pop groove, I wish he’d sing more often. You certainly can’t fault his time or intonation, nor at any occasion, his intelligence” Nat Hentoff (1957)

1) SOFT SANDS 2:21
2) ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN 2:34
3) IT HAPPENS EVERY SPRING 2:43
4) CHANEL 2:41
5) YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME 2:00
6) WHY, OH WHY 3:05
7) SONG TO THE STARS 2:43
8) ECHOES 2:39
9) I’VE NEVER LEFT YOUR ARMS 2:52
10) I CAN’T GET STARTED 2:58
11) DREAM ON A SUMMER NIGHT 2:56
12) SUSQUEHANNA 2:43
13) I’VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE 6:37*
14) GET ME TO THE CHURCH ON TIME 6:44*
15) SHOW ME 6:21*
16) I COULD HAVE DANCED ALL NIGHT 5:20*
17) ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE 5:33*
18) WOULDN’T IT BE LOVELY 5:34*
19) THE RAIN IN SPAIN 3:50*
20) THE GOLDEN STRIKER 6:23**

TOTAL TIME: 78:47

OSCAR PETERSON, piano (vocals on 2, 6, 10 & 12)
Orchestra conducted by BUDDY BREGMAN
Los Angeles, March 28 & July 31, 1957.

*BONUS ALBUM:
OSCAR PETERSON PLAYS “MY FAIR LADY”(Verve)
Oscar Peterson (p), Ray Brown (b), Gene Gammage (d). Chicago, November 20 & 21, 1958.

**BONUS TRACK: Live at the Playboy Jazz Festival
Oscar Peterson (p), Ray Brown (b), Ed Thigpen (d). Chicago, August 8, 1959.

See 16-page booklet for complete information