Description
Lester Young with the Oscar Peterson Trio – The President Plays with the Oscar Peterson Trio – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
The President Plays with the Oscar Peterson Trio brings Lester Young’s feather-light tenor into one of Norman Granz’s most dependable rhythm sections. Recorded in 1952 and issued under several related titles, the session pairs Young with Peterson, guitarist Barney Kessel, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer J. C. Heard for a relaxed program of standards and blues.
“Ad Lib Blues” establishes the atmosphere: easy swing, spacious phrasing, and no pressure to force a climax. Young’s sound is dry, airy, and conversational, while Peterson answers with compact runs and bright chordal punctuation. Kessel’s guitar adds another melodic voice without making the ensemble feel crowded.
“Just You, Just Me” and “Tea for Two” become long, unhurried exchanges, full of the rhythmic delays that made Young’s playing so influential. On “Indiana,” the group raises the temperature without abandoning its poise, and “I Can’t Get Started” returns to the wistful ballad language closely associated with Young.
The album’s appeal lies in proportion. Brown and Heard hold a steady, buoyant floor; Peterson supplies energy; Young floats around the beat; and every player understands when not to fill the space. The session sounds informal, but its ease depends on exceptional listening and shared vocabulary.
This 180-gram Vital Vinyl Series pressing follows the concise six-track LP program, ending with “On the Sunny Side of the Street.” Expanded digital editions add session material, so the listing below is intentionally limited to the physical record.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
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