Potentially controversial point to start, but CDs still beat other formats in my humble opinion. They capture details and depth that other formats sometimes don’t quite communicate. This is beautifully demonstrated in this rare recording of a concert with Oscar Peterson in Helsinki, November 1987. This double-CD is titled ‘A Time for Love’ and also features Joe Pass on guitar, Dave Young on bass, and Martin Drew on drums.
I picked this album up in February 2022. It is an exceptional live performance with sweeping pieces that shift between jazz standards, blues, and even classical interpretations. The audio quality is incredible, you feel like you’re right in the audience, and the comprehensive liner notes are wonderful. Actually, it is the liner notes that are one of the standout reasons for owning CDs. They have such detailed and beautiful stories and insights to share. Of particular interest in this album is that it was produced by Oscar’s wife, Kelly Peterson. She was clearly as committed to his craft and performances as Oscar. She captured the moment before they walked out on stage, waiting in the wings she notes –
“Joe leans closer into Oscar and asks, ‘What’s up first?’ Oscar tilts his head, purses his lips and thinks for a moment, says ‘Cool Walk’ and his fingers lightly snap a tempo. The house lights go down and Martin walks out onto the stage, takes a bow, sits at the drums, and begins to play…”
This concert was actually the last of an intensive world tour for this quartet, which probably added to the relaxed and playful vibe throughout the gig. The entire first half of the concert is all Oscar Peterson’s own music, showcasing his ability to capture various jazz styles, supported by his crew. Throughout both CDs, the interplay between the musicians is seamless, each piece building excitement in the audience. In this way, this album is also a great reason to listen to each track in order, recreating the experience of what it might have been like.
‘A Time for Love’ is an exceptional listening experience. From the opening track of ‘Cool Walk’, to playful pieces like ‘Sushi’ and standards like ‘Waltz for Debby’, the melancholy of ‘When you wish upon a star’, to the classic ‘Duke Ellington Medley’. Each track builds the atmosphere, with Oscar Peterson at his masterful best, dancing through the piano, with deft accompaniment from Joe, Dave, and Martin. It’s also a great example of when a good stereo helps the music to play loudly and articulately, bringing all those details into sharp focus. Having only been released in 2021, it signified a special time, beautifully described by Kelly Peterson –
“As I write this, the world is virtually ‘on hold’, in the midst of a devastating pandemic. Love and compassion are needed, perhaps more than ever. May this music provide solace and hope. Now, ever and always, it has always been, and always will be, ‘A Time for Love’.”
