Some Jazz pearls from a couple of heavyweights: Rosemary Clooney's At Long Last with the Count Basie Orchestra (although recorded in the twilight of her career, she's still Rosie and there's something to be said about the many years of experience singing these standards evident in her performance). Safe to say she knows a thing or two about how to swing... especially backed by that band.
Also check out Kenny Burrell's God Bless the Child; very well done (top flight lineup... Ron Carter, Freddie Hubbard, etc, nice production, great sound).
Had to throw one more out there after a night of some listening... We Get Requests from The Oscar Peterson Trio; hard pressed to find a tighter jazz trio anywhere. Very high quality sound. Pick out any one of the instruments and just listen and smile.
Since you mentioned Oscar Peterson....try one of his finest solo releases....
"Tracks"......
Link...There is a story that goes along with it....check it out...
http://lostandsound.wordpress.com/2007/12/28/most-perfect-sound-from-the-black-forest/A few comments....
"Tracks" is a rare solo piano album by Oscar Peterson from 1970 recorded in Germany under the supervision of the noted sound engineer Hans George Brunner-Schwer, owner of the MPS record label. The first thing to note is the superb quality of the recording - the sound of the piano is excellent - resonant, rich, immediate and sonorous with a great dynamic range. The second thing is Oscar's playing: in 1970 he was at the height of his awesome powers and all ten pieces are, without exception, magnificent. The selections can be divided roughly between bravura up-tempo pieces (such as "Give me the Simple Life", "Honeysuckle Rose" and "A Little Jazz Exercise") and slower, more pensive and reflective ballads (such as "Django" and "A Child is Born"). The rendition of "Django" is particularly noteworthy for its emotional range and harmonic explorations. The CD re-issue has reproduced the original cover artwork and, in addition to the original liner notes by Gene Lees, there are new re-issue liner notes by Richard Palmer (editor to Oscar on his recent autobiography). This album is, without question, one of Oscar's finest - a most interesting contrast to his trio work - and highly recommended.
This is one of the few Oscar Peterson solo Piano records. Norman Granz and Duke Ellington had been trying to pursade Oscar to record a solo Piano album for quite a while and in November 1970 this was the result.
The man responsible for producing the album was Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer and he deserves a lot of credit. Its one of the best sounding solo Piano records ever produced. The moment you hear the first track you will begin to wonder how on earth all other Piano albums sound so bad in comparison. What does Hans know that other producers don't?!!
As for the playing, well this is Oscar Peterson at the absolute height of his powers. The opening track will leave you stunned:
Amazing locked hands chord work, wonderful single line improvisations. I'd love to see it written out, the speed and dexterity is unbelievable. In a similar but different vein the ironically titled "A Little Jazz Exercise" is another virtuoso display, incorporating Oscars amazing fast stride playing. Still this is what you'd expect from Oscar.
What you might not expect is his marvellous performances of A Child is Born, Dancing on the Ceiling and Django. These are beautifully played and shows a side of Oscars playing that is frequently ignored because of his amazing technique. OK in some of the solos there are quite a few notes, but the reading of the tunes are restrained and subtle. These tracks are also great demonstrations of the wonderful sound of the Piano on this album.
For me this is one of the 5 best Oscar Peterson records you can get - an absolutely essential purchase.
Amazon Samples....