Oscar Peterson - Oscar Peterson Plays The Irving Berlin Song Book (1959)

Oscar Peterson's Songbook have received mixed reviews through the years. The second time the pianist indulged in this project, he, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen recorded nine albums in a month. Obviously, not much planning went into the individual songs. Since the emphasis was on easy-listening jazz, the interpretations of the dozen Irving Berlin compositions included on this out-of-print LP are fairly melodic and safe, if swinging. Nothing unexpected occurs, but the music is reasonably pleasing, if lacking in emotional depth; certainly this is one of the happier versions of "Supper Time" (whose lyrics deal with a lynching) yet recorded.