Night Train

The bonus tracks? I don't like to complain about getting something for nothing, but it would not be hard to argue that the original album is a classic that needed no embellishment. Even with lesser songs, Peterson turns in a convincing performance and these pass muster. 'Now's the Time' is an amazing bit of keyboard athleticism -- a performance more worthy than the tune. 'This Could Be the Start of Something' is similarly a superior performance of a not-so-superior number.

The jury is still out on Verve's cardboard CD jackets. It looks nice but is destined to fall apart long before the CD fails. Perhaps Verve thought they were doing us a favor. Still a five-star album, but packaging is (a small) part of the equation.


Best of the best   February 8, 2004
Gontroppo (Bathurst, NSW Australia)
34 out of 36 found this review helpful

Unlike many jazz piano lovers, I have never thought Oscar Peterson was showing off or playing too many notes, though I also love Count Basie, whose sparse playing goes in the opposite direction.

This album is wonderfully appealing and, could be a great place to start with Oscar if you aren't yet acquainted with his music.

I love every track [but only have the original CD], and appreciate the variety on the recording, from C Jam Blueswith its distinctive percussion and piano and double bass solos, to slow ballads like Hymn To Freedom and Things Ain't What They Used To Be through rollicking songs like Night Train and Moten Swing.
Another terrific album is Tracks, which is one of few solo recordings.


A true genius creating mood swings!   May 22, 1999
Bob Martinez (Brooksville, FL USA)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

Peterson is considered one of the finest jazz pianists of all time, and this is his finest recording! With only three men in his group, he creates different emotions within a song. He is a true genius creating mood swings. And swing it does! Take the opening cut Night Train, near the end the mood is overcast and blue yet by the end of the song Peterson, Thigpen and Brown raise the mood to one of cool optimism. There is not one bad cut in this album. My other favorites are C Note Blues, Moten Swing and Call to Freedom. I first bought this album in 1963 and it has never grown old. Just buy it! You'll love it!


Smooth, Cool, Sophisticated   May 3, 2000
Ralph Quirino (Keswick, Ontario Canada)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Though some have accused Peterson of being a bit "dry", don't let that keep you away from this absolutely essential album. Very few trio sessions possess a charm so carefree yet romantic, so swingin' yet calm, so rich yet simplistic. This is superb music-making. I recommend it to jazz-haters without reserve: it'll make you change your mind. Peterson serves up warm, passionate performances while the back-up is both muted and solid. I had a first edition LP which I found at a yard sale, bought the CD when it was first released and am happy to own this remastered effort. The purpose of a great remastering/reissue job is to bring out all the nuances of a recording and this rerelease does that and lots more. No CD collection should be without this classic recording. Worth every one of the five stars I've accorded it...


One of the best jazz albums of all time   May 24, 2001
G. Sawaged (Canada)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful

This is one of my most favourite jazz albums of all time. And this remastered version makes a perfect album even more perfect. With it's 6 bonus tracks, meticulous remastering and great packaging, this is a must-have for any jazz lover. Peterson truly is the best jazz pianist of all time, and this is one of his best recordings. The 12 page booklet includes photos of OP, Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen, as well as informative liner notes, including track-by-track notes. For me, the true highlight of this album is the wonderful "Hymn to Freedom" with its tremoloed, chorded climax that almost has you on your feet cheering. This album is much more than just a jazz album...it is a work of art.