Search - Milt Jackson, Grady Tate, Ray Brown :: Ain't But a Few of Us Left

Jackson and Peterson swing

S J Buck | Kent, UK | 12/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Almost 26 years to the day since this album was recorded how true are the sentiments of the title of this album. Milt Jackson and Ray Brown have both left us now and Oscar Peterson has now virtually ceased performing because of illness. Sadly Oscar Peterson died two days after I wrote this review.



This recording though, leaves us with great listening memories of these jazz giants. In 1981 all three were still playing brilliantly. Oscar Peterson was still the Piano titan with each hand capable of things most piansts can't do with two hands. To be fair here hes not in overdrive all the time, but as always with Peterson theres that sense of effortless drive and power in his playing which very few musicians have.



Milt Jackson is most famous for his playing in the MJQ, but actually a lot of the time was just a fabuously swinging vibes player. Put him with Peterson and Ray Brown and you know he will be brilliant. Ray Brown is in imperious form. Hearing the album again recently I found myself listening to the bass lines which is not something I normally do (I'm not a bass player). Grady Tate is on drums and does a fine job.



Highlights are the swinging opening track (a Jackson original), the lovely duet between Peterson and Jackson on 'A Time for Love' and the last track 'What am I here for' an Ellington tune. The album is only 40 minutes long but in terms of quality its as good as you'll get."