Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Oscar Peterson: City Lights: The Oscar Peterson Quartet ...

Oscar Peterson: City Lights: The Oscar Peterson Quartet 每 Live in Munich, 1994

By Mike Jurkovic
December 5, 2024
View read count

Oscar Peterson: City Lights: The Oscar Peterson Quartet – Live in Munich, 1994

The first big challenge presented by the latest grand release from the

Oscar Peterson

piano
1925 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Peterson archives, City Lights: The Oscar Peterson Quartet—Live in Munich, 1994 is how not to spontaneously burst into dance, either with yourself or some total stranger who happens to be within five miles of earshot of the ecstatic opener, "There Will Never Be Another You." The second challenge is not to interrupt the listening experience of others with wild, joyful whoops, hollers, and well-intentioned hyperbole.

Recorded fourteen months after the pianist suffered a stroke that left his once thunderous left hand greatly diminished in strength and dexterity, the fifth installment in Mack Avenue's collaboration with Peterson's estate, City Lights: The Oscar Peterson Quartet -Live in Munich, 1994 is so so much more than easy or lazy nostalgia. It is a testament to the grandness and persistence of the human spirit.

Produced by Kelly Peterson, widow and keeper of the flame, City Lights: The Oscar Peterson Quartet—Live in Munich, 1994 is a rollicking feast from beginning to end. Fighting back disappointment with his ongoing health issues, Peterson bounds rapturously from the very start as bassist

Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Niels-Henning ?rsted Pedersen, guitarist

Lorne Lofsky

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Lorne Lofsky, and drummer

Martin Drew

drums
1944 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Martin Drew light up Munich's M邦nchner Philharmonie with a profound fervor. Pedersen and Drew set the poppy and peppery pace for Lofsky's tastefully fluid calligraphy. Peterson, obviously responding to the warm, welcoming ovation, sets into motion a ringing set graced with original gems (the airily intoxicating "The Gentle Waltz;" the rambunctious elastic interplay of "Night Time") with the Mack Gordon opener and a most enticing, all-hands-on-deck take on

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington's "Satin Doll," after which the audience erupts with ardent appreciation.

Hardcore Oscar-ites may notice the loss of counterpoint and power, but to the casual listener out for a night on the town, the set rings profusely with Peterson's humor and humanity. "Kelly's Blues" and "City Lights" certainly attest to that. Add to the set Petersen's exuberantly moody "Samba Petite" which could have easily become a steal-the-show moment for the bassist but instead reveals a quick-witted group-think that hip hops to glory and quickly becomes, out of the two hundred plus albums boast his indelible stamp, one of those recordings to be listened to and prized.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

There Will Never Be Another You; The Gentle Waltz; Kelly's Blues; Love Ballade; City Lights; You Look Good To Me; Samba Petite; Satin Doll; Nighttime.

Personnel

Oscar Peterson

piano

Niels-Henning ?rsted Pedersen

bass

Lorne Lofsky

guitar

Martin Drew

drums

Album information

Title: City Lights: The Oscar Peterson Quartet 每 Live in Munich, 1994 | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Chano Dom赤nguez Sexteto at Barcelon...
< Previous

Wayne Escoffery: Alone!
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.