Back in Chicago in the 1970s in my early teens my dad took my brother and I to see Oscar Peterson at the now defunct Rick’s Café Americain (one of many such named and themed Casablanca bars of the time). As a budding keyboard player, I was struck then and now, by how that guy could swing – and sweat, his rag ever-present. It was a fairly intimate venue and this was the only time I can ever remember being moved to ask for an autograph. I wish I know where it was today. He made superhuman pyrotechnics on the piano seem so effortless, inspiring and daunting. By Oscar standards, this version of “A” Train is relatively subdued and perhaps a bit tastier for it. His characteristic “humming” along (also notable from that other Canadian virtuoso, Glenn Gould) is well demonstrated on this trio track.
http://youtu.be/ipXlVNQ-n5w
