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Critic's Review
Jim Newsom, All Music Guide
A Summer Night in Munich captures Oscar Peterson and his "NATO quartet" in a triumphant concert performance recorded July 22, 1998 at the Munchen Philharmonika. With a program of seven Peterson originals plus the Ellington-Strayhorn standard, "Satin Doll," this group cooks. "Backyard Blues" and "Nigerian Marketplace" are especially exciting and contemporary-sounding originals, while "When Summer Comes, "Evening Song" and "Love Ballade" are beautiful ballads. Bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen lays down the nimble-fingered lines for which he is known, while guitarist Ulf Wakenius is a most complementary figure in dialogue with the leader. Drummer Martin Drew keeps the proceedings on track rhythmically, taking a tasty solo turn on the set closer, "Sushi." With this fine recording, Peterson shows that even in his '70s, he's still got the goods.
