Oscar Peterson: Night Train

To these ears, this version of Happy-Go-Lucky Local or Night Train, whatever you want to call it is the finest thing Oscar Peterson ever immortalized on vinyl. The midtempo boogie is a dream of a jazz trio performance. It swings, its got a great melody, and the musicians play with understated elegance. Peterson wrests some heartfelt blues expressions out of the piano, and his glissandos make you want to shout. Ray Brown the consummate sideman walks the bass up and down, while Ed Thigpen swings lightly on the drums. The interplay is seamless; these guys play like one brain controlling six arms. Go ahead and try to find a smoother ride from a trio than Night Train.