Oscar Peterson Trio - A Gal In Gallico (1958)

[RobinHood5045]

One of the reasons why I like Herbs playing so much.

[JLATTElopez]

This truly makes one feel alive!

[pancholin368]

maravilloso video.....

[lvl3bomb]

Does any one know at what show this was recorded? Is there more footage or a sound track?

[booksteve]

so did Herb Ellis get paid double scale on this gig for playing percussion and guitar? has anyone noticed that Oscar quotes Surrey with the Fringe on Top ? has anyone noticed that Ray Brown completely redefines bass playing here? Notice the press monkeys not listening to the music and snapping cameras in OP's face while he is soloing. Can you imagine what these guys went through back in the day?

[Drblooter99]

@booksteve

How is Ray Brown completely redefining bass playing here?

[Dfrankjazz]

Wonderful new Dick Hyman master class now on youtube. Dick discusses his career and musical concepts, plays two beautiful tunes, and plays duo pianos with NYC jazz piano monster Dave Frank. You will enjoy this! Type in "Dave Frank" Dick Hyman into youtube search.

[860125mwj]

There's another version of this on YouTube with better sound. If you put your headphones on you can hear Oscar P singing as he plays the tune.

[yohenson]

killer solo for ray...!

[MissEgasMoniz]

Timeless music and timeless talent - one of the great trio's.

[jgrodnik]

For my money, this is as good as it gets. The finest jazz trio of all time. Three minds thinking as one and swinging like mad. if this doesn't move you, you're dead.

By the way, Oscar really could sing. He sounded so much like Nat King Cole, though, that he rarely did.

[lostfromorion]

Cats, meowlin' ^_^

[italmartin]

who is the composer of this tune?

[huntere692]

Herb Ellis was also fantastic but I think his injecting a western flavor into this arrangemet went over most peoples heads...a pity. It was extremely clever.

[teemingup]

3`57'' could bring my father back from heaven. Although, he might have met the gentlemen already!

[teemingup]

5`44`` could bring my father back from heaven to just remark `Goddam, does this swing`!

[EyMeng]

oscar is no Errol, he's the real McCoy!

[860125mwj]

dont you mean Errol is no Oscar Peterson lol.

[1mommas]

Bruno, Errol couldn't read a note of music, fine talent but you can't compare the two. Totally individual, both talented.

Happy sounds and have you heard Oscar sing??

[JinjaB123]

herb is the man

[AnnaAnnaYes]

Rest in Peace Herb Ellis. My Dad was one of your biggest fans, and i know

he's listening to you in Heaven.

[BeatBay]

@AnnaAnnaYes i am also a herb fan, he is the best. the will meet in heaven. god bless

[AnnaAnnaYes]

@BeatBay Thank You Very Much!! Take Care!!

[iwgpventures]

ハ－ブ・エリスが立ってギタ－弾いてるの初めて観た1:45

[lvl3bomb]

Where is this taken from?? Is there a DVD? was it broadcast at any TV station?

[kungfublood]

I used to see Herb and Joe on Guitar night at a club in LA

Sad they have both moved on SIP 'Swing in Peace' guys, see you again soon.

[lvl3bomb]

That small phrase Oscar does at 4:52... wow!! Such perfection...

[bobullman111]

Great video. This was a phenomenal band. Loved them. Saw them numerous times

[mindbodylightsound10]

they look like they're having so much fun.

[ANTiRussia1]

Thank you very much for the video

[MrTorgrimson]

I... love... this... shit. Man, this is outstanding stuff.

[wacatak]

RIP Herb and thanks for all the swing....

[joeylodes]

RIP Herb

[hookalakah]

And Erroll was no Oscar.

[2009framat]

@hookalakah

"And Erroll was no Oscar."You took the words right out of my mouth!

BTW Herb Ellis - the guitar player on the clip died only a few days ago aged 89)

[nixxnutz2]

Young people, this song is entitled "Gal in Calico," composed by Arthur Schwartz in 1946. I can't believe none of the commenters here knew that. Calico is a type of printed cotton fabric.

[Fresnelify]

@nixxnutz2 Thought I remembered this song title wrongly from childhood. The charm of a song about a girl dressed in a cotton fabric associated with country folk performed by these gentlemen still remains. Thank you.

[mandatruco]

RIP Herb

[hswatnik]

rip herb ellis-

[airy3que]

Such a good clip of a great performance. RIP Herb Ellis.

[TheGuitarCafe]

RIP Mr. Herb Ellis.

[Andreeeiiii]

to me, this is oscars at his best. he plays so "fresh"

[fiddlinandy]

Does anyone know if this is available on DVD anywhere? I would love to have it if it is. Truly an amazing performance.

[TheGuitarman37]

Who needs drummers?

[ironpirites]

Oscar Peterson and Buddy Rich I think are the two most rhythmically complex musicians I have ever heard.

This trio is awesome though and . . . they look like they are having fun too.

[TheJazzpro]

the best jazz trio ever

[2dasimmons]

The sounds that Erroll Garner,Oscar Peterson and other greats made while playing adds to the experience because we know that they are really getting into their playing. Luv it and wouldn't change it one bit!! Miss y'all and look forward to your return!! Thank you for the post cralik.

[LeonardandPaul]

this swings so hard

[00s00m]

PS: Woody Allen just to the right of RB's bass? :-)

[larry3393]

o shit man ur fuckin rite. i love woody, fantastic direct and jazz fan

[00s00m]

Some time ago I read a story in which Herb Ellis related that many years after the Trio had disbanded, OP had found a homemade cassette recording of one of their original performances right around this time (it had to be, since they were only together a couple of years) and played it for him. Ellis listened to it and commented something like "What a hoot! That was the best we ever were!"

This is the absolutely greatest trio in jazz history at their peak. Thanks for posting.

[julesmonendrumface]

man ...herb ellis is amazing

[Rango8]

I agree, saw them live at Freddies in Mpls. , London House in Chicago and they blew us all away. Love it........sounds better now than when I first heart it. Carry on men, your the best. Rang8

[japa1990]

its Oscar

[japa1990]

a lot of jazz ppl do it, it just comes naturally cuz what they play comes from their soul rather than their hands so it kinda makes sense.

[sotonemuel]

The pianist does that while playing. He scats while soloing. Though, I prefer the way George Benson does it instead.

[00s00m]

People have been remarking about Oscar's incidental vocalizations (he's not singing) for years. Some people are initially distracted, but that's kind of like being distracted by the steam rising off a great dish of lasagna--it's part of the experience, just not the important part.

[setforvol]

Herb does the same annoying thing and he calls it singing. Lionel Hampton was the worst perp at this terrible habbit. It really takes away from the great playing. Your analogy would be right if you said the steam stank like shit but the lasagna tasted great.

[TCHDrummer134]

i like wat the guitar player was doin as a rhythmic instrument

[mouintainguide]

Super music!!!

[123laconga]

That's playing. People like Oscar Peterson have a gift, however, he had to work at his gift to be as good as he is.

God will give a person a gift but if he/she doesn't use it (practice) they will lose it.

[julesmonendrumface]

why is there no drummer if herb ellis dont play guitar ?

[Scinders]

I love drums,but I dont think this needs any at all

[Barnekkid]

Those guys were rockin out!

[BrunoJazzmanLeicht]

Oscar was no Erroll, but still a higjly accomplished piano man. I can watch this one over and over. Marvelous performance.

Feel free to check my blog, if you like. Link is in my profile.

Bestest & Peace!

Brewiano

[RenoRaider]

you're right about that. Oscar was heads and shoulders above everybody, forget

Garner.

[RenoRaider]

@BrunoJazzmanLeicht haha you're right errol couldnt wipe Oscar's ass on his best day.

[thomasTMJA]

this is on Dutch tv :)

[burningbeing]

I'd love to go back in time and show this video to J.S. Bach and see what he had to say.

[ilovebillevans]

Know what you mean. I was humming a Bach Prelude in my car and when I started to swing it , it was just pure bebop. Maybe Johann has a litlle lap top up there and is tapping his feet as we speak? Jill

[thomasTMJA]

this is made on dutch tv

and good music to

[redhouse7]

god ray brown is soo young and i love his bass

[juanignaciopp]

QUE maza como toca la guitarra este tio..!!!!

[lairdlord]

What a trio! The always brillant Oscar. I want to go where his soul resides and all the creative jazz musicians and I'll be in heaven.

[deb6sbcglobal]

The song is gal in callico.

[brikat01]

someone cheer me up

[gtrgtbuck]

Beautiful video for an amazing trio; but, the question : where doess it come from ??

[K1000oner]

Bass Chorus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PeterInglisGuitar]

Graceful, effortless and dance - just the words I would have chosen! This is a class act.

[BlueinGreen2]

Such truly wonderful music.

I don't understand how these three manage to swing so much - the congo beat from Herb Ellis is so relaxed and perfect, and I love how Ray and Oscar just dance around with each other creating effortless and graceful music. These guys really knew how to play the blues - they have a similar arrangement in Bluesology, from 'Live at the Concertgebouw', its an absolute must-listen.

Just stunning stuff, they never cease to amaze.

[TheJaZzEnthusiast]

Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, and Ray Brown!!

they made lots of amazing music together I have a few albums of the original Oscar Peterson trio! they were simply AMAZING!!

Thanks for the vid! I Loved it!! ^.^

[BuckshotLaFunke]

Yes, and Peterson played much fresher then than in his later years.

[cilcsster]

The man had a stroke for heavens sake! It was only thru a friends encouragement that he still played at all!

[BuckshotLaFunke]

clicsster, what I meant was that in the 50s and 60s he wasn't so obsessed by technique for technique's sake. He made many pianistically devilish records in the years before his stroke, but I find his playing much more natural in the decades mentioned.

[sonatonemaster]

The guita do the drums, cool!

[ShinichiJapanfan]

Great music...

but everyone of them isn´t alive yet... or?

[killertuna]

Oscar Peterson died recently ..like last year?

[NewtNoho]

Guy in the audience (far left) from 0:00-0:15 looks like Woody Allen.

[Koalkracker]

A Gal in Calico ... words by Leo Robin, music by Arhtur Schwartz, 1946. Introduced by Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson, and Martha Vickers in the movie musical "The Time, The Place and The Girl." Nominated for an Academy Award, 1947. Popular records by Johnny Mercer, Tex Beneke with the Crew Chiefs and his orchestra, Benny Goodman with vocals by Eve Young who was later known as Karen Chandler ... and Bing Crosby recorded it too!

[andrew17660]

So it's Calico! Thank you very much! You've made me a very happy man.

[edesnerdshack]

twice during the improvisation peterson also quotes rodgers' surrey with the fringe on top. both songs were introduced into the modern jazz repertoire by ahmad jamal. miles davis, who admired jamal's style very much, included both songs in the book of his first great quintet (1955-57). since then they can be considered jazz standards.

[RenoRaider]

Ray actually covered the song on his album Brown's Bag.  It's a good album.

[andrew17660]

Anyone know where the song comes from? I can't find any info on it.

[Koalkracker]

A comment has been posted concerning the origin of the song "A Gal In Calico"

[mcrohof]

gerry - get of your high horse and stop mumbling like that.

You sound like the ultimate grey cat who doesn't really understand a word he's saying.

God I knew this was the kind of idiocy to expect from those too jealous to just appreciate great mucisianship.

[Gerry319]

Peterson really swings on this number, but I find his monotonous vocalizing rather off-putting.

[tedwinward]

Looks at first glance like his vocalizing is being captured by the microphone intended for Ray Brown's bass--but on second glance, you will see that the entire trio is feeding that one microphone! And why not? For once, there are more cameras than microphones--and thus the tight clustering around that mic, which makes for better visuals, too. How about the nice cough heard at 5:20? Enjoy the reality here--this clip is a great document.

[Gerry319]

You're right, it's a great document, and some of the most joyful swinging jazz you'd ever hear. I think I was put off a bit by the vocalization because I hadn't heard Petersen do that on previous recordings and it came as a bit of a shock. But on listening again, and accepting the full package, it's great. (I did get used to Glenn Gould's vocalizing while playing Bach!)

[poonjazz]

oh yeah, Ray went too. Damn. Sorry about that-wishful thinking.

[99ZARDOZ]

Nice nice. I am just getting into jazz and I am getting the feeling that all the great players are dead. Bummer.

[rossisaurus]

Check out Alain Caron on bass. He's not dead, and he's amazing. Also, Herbie Hancock. I'll think of more later.

Peace

[poonjazz]

I think theyre all still alive except oscar. ray brown is still putting out records, as is herb. Keep an open mind- thats what the greats all did!there is a glut of fantastic new players coming out every year, but they need you to listen and not expect them to regurgitate old players styles and sounds. good luck on your quest, there are no wrong turns!

[RenoRaider]

Ray died in 2002.

[646879]

try Joscho Stephan, Jimmy Rosenberg, Tommy Emanuel, Scotty Anderson (new cd coming soon)...and of course Al Dimeola in addition to Benson and Kevin Eubanks...

[littlejimmydickens]

truly Awesome work!

[magnatetlapa]

excelent

[ramstyle14]

beauty

[00s00m]

Ray died on July 2, 2002, while taking a nap before a show in Indianapolis. He was 75 years old. Oscar died of kidney failure at his home in Canada on December 23, 2007, at the age of 82. Herb Ellis is still with us, and is 86 years old.

[jgreenberg93]

i went to the free remembrance concert in honor of oscar, kinda funny i got their at 3,20 and they made us wait for 40 minutes before saying that its all full, they should've done the concert at a more public place like dundas square

[vanea99]

fortunately, he is NOT dead.

[tyoonz]

Sadly, I'm afraid that Mr. Peterson has, indeed, died. Truly a great loss for us all. However, his music shall live on.

[jazzguitar09]

brilliant... his legacy will be remembered for generations to come

[goPistons06]

RIP Oscar

[nordog55]

Greatest jazz pianist of all time! Rest in peace sad loss

[attabuoy]

An awed keyboard!

[wintermoon1939]

"Sounds like a quartet to me. Wonder why we don't see the drummer?"

that's because Herb Ellis is bongo'ing on his guitar

[Peatman]

Plus Oscar is stomping his foot louder than he plays the piano. :)

[123coolmik]

no, this is the guitarist hitting the strings.

[wiesenleger]

rest in peace dear oscar

[perchst]

R.I.P Oscar P.

Glad to have met you in real life. It was one of the greatest moments of my life to shake your hand and talk to you. Im sure you are jammin´ it up with the other jazz-cats in jam-session-heaven!

[mikeos1]

Sounds like a quartet to me. Wonder why we don't see the drummer?

[Campino42]

Thank you

[thisidigofyou]

What marvelous and majestic music he gave and left us. I heard Oscar's version of Tenderly as a young boy and that in part sparked my interest in jazz and a life-long love of Oscar's playing. I feel fortunate to hear him a handful of times live. Thank you Oscar for your glorious art!

[ricaard]

Good Night, Oscar...

[srkihara]

The world is grateful for the music he bequeathed us, and Canada is proud to have produced such a national treasure.

[basserg]

RIP Oscar.

[matchingsox]

When did he NOT swing?

[Climax954]

Damn! Wonderful!

[mylegsareswollen]

God damned does Oscar swing in this performance!

[davebeeboss]

Rip Oscar

he played great for so many years!

dig that 'surrey with the fringe' quote at 1.13, haha

[CadillacL]

Don't you wish you could go back in time to that day/night? Thats bop at its best folks.

Thanks for posting.

[RedHotRag]

What a great post! Oscar could get more notes in a measure than anyone I've ever heard. (and they were all good!)...and Herb's tone on that 175 is the smoky standard for guitarists. Both Herb and Ray are so engaged and so smooth....as always.

[nyshoefly]

is that Jimmy Page on guitar?

[lorenzini]

Joke or not. Wtf!

[nyshoefly]

AH! Got ya!

[taran155]

i think it's les paul?

[mrmet5]

no its regis philbin im pretty sure

[deb6sbcglobal]

Herb Ellis on guitar.

[iwant2view]

As an up and coming jazz musician myself, it is material like this that makes me proud, yet at the same time intimidated to be working towards passing on the jazz tradition

[SSBraz]

Check out the book Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner. It will address your intimidation!

[vpmitchell]

Life is one big happening piece of chocolate cake... ;)

[pekoe67]

Great post, 5 stars!

[pekoe67]

3 Gods of music- Iwonder if Herb's string slapping came from Tal Farlow, vice versa or elsewhere. Not to knock these masters, but the Nat Cole Trio is the best by far of this instrumental configuration. They started it and finished it IMO.

[oldguitarguy]

Probably in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. Wow, wish I was there, back in 1958, when I was 8 years old.

[BassThrasher]

Wow, I wasn't aware that Herb Ellis was a drummer =P

[MontgomerylandFunk]

Anyone else notice Osacar play some "Surrey With The Fringe On Top" good stuff.

[sashland]

deserve

better

comments

great

music

[jAmguitar84]

awesome piano man _--the guitar guy it´s funny

[aaronentresz]

To the IDIOTS who insist on posting comments that are not funny, but plain stupid- Perhaps they should go and graffiti a site which has bad music (Like Rap).

[CadillacL]

I love jazz guitar & have heard/read about Herb Ellis & to finally see him..all I can say is thanks.

[ivorbigunzz]

The guys a legend.

[jenny6664]

Hey, and did I love singing right along with it! Felt like I had my own backup! Just great!

Of course, I first learned it as Gal in Calico, but this time around, it's even better. Oscar is the greatest! . . . jenny

[insaneguitarfreak]

sorry, but, what do you mean by "cats"?

[Jourell1]

Probably somewhat late to reply to this but "cats" is old slang for a "cool person" especially one involved with this kind of music

-jourell1: dictonary of the uselss *chuckles*

[insaneguitarfreak]

lol thanks for the information

[insaneguitarfreak]

kick ass!!!

i want one of those massive violins

[pinky0926]

LOL

[Fender9808]

all three of these cats can play man, being a guitar player and seeing herb to the dead strums is just so cool this is real music.

[otnas01]

I've never understood why some 'cats' criticise Oscar for being too technical.Oscar is a ledgend and will always have a seat in the Jazz pianists hall of fame!

[pinky0926]

Well, I agree that musicians shouldn't play chops for the hell of it, but I wouldn't say Oscar does that. He swings and plays fantastic melodies.

[pinky0926]

This is such a pretty song.