We Get Requests

by Scott YanowPianist Oscar Peterson has long been such a consistent performer that none of his records are throwaways but this particular CD reissue is weaker than most. Since several of the songs are the type that in the mid-'60s would get requested (such as "People," "The Girl from Ipanema" and "The Days of Wine and Roses"), the program would not seem to have much potential but Peterson mostly uplifts the material (although not much could be done with "People") and adds a few songs (such as his own "Goodbye J.D." and John Lewis' "D. & E.") that probably no one asked for. Overall this is an average although reasonably enjoyable Oscar Peterson session, featuring bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen.