My Favorite Instrument (Exclusively For My Friends Vol. 4) [VINYL]

Amidst the trio recordings of the Exclusively For My Friends series, this Vol 4 stands out as a special feature. It is Oscar Peterson's very first solo album, where he can play unrestrictedly on the keyboard of his abilities--inspired by the ideal recording conditions he found in Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer's Villingen studio. It is no coincidence that this LP is still considered a revelation for Peterson fans, as the nine tracks exemplify all his skills. There are the grand, Art Tatum-inspired runs in "Someone To Watch Over Me," the fiery and intricate rhythm of "Perdido," and the clever pedal work in "Body & Soul." In "Bye, Bye Blackbird," he develops the theme and improvisation as if in a showcase, while with the charming miniature "Lulu's Back In Town," he presents himself humorously. In "Take The 'A' Train," he reveals the tricks by which a classic can gain personal notes. Then there is Peterson's quiet side, with the sensitive introspection of "Who Can I Turn To" and the overwhelming, deep-night tenderness of "Little Girl Blue." "The best jazz piano album ever made," judged the Canadian author Gene Lees at the time