What’s so classic about Lester Young? His tone, for one thing – light, almost ethereal; the way he attenuates melodies over bar lines; and his rhythmic surprises. All are on display in this date of classic American repertoire with Oscar Peterson’s trio – augmented by a drummer.
In Young’s last decade he mostly dispensed with big bands and stuck to great songs, mainly ballads. This is one of his best efforts of the Fifties.
Lester Young (tenor sax, vocal), Oscar Peterson (piano), Barney Kessel (guitar), Ray Brown (bass), J.C. Heard (drums).
14 Tracks. Recorded November 1952 in New York City.