360 records from 2000: 24. Oscar Peterson: Trail of dreams – A Canadian suite

Country: Canada
Artist: Male solo artist
Career: recording since 1945
Language: Instrumental
Genre: Jazz / Easy listening


When John Irving was confronted with the statement that in contemporary fiction plot was dead, he responded along the lines of ‘Just cause they can’t think of a story anymore…’ Quality of John Irving’s recent novels aside, that must be how Oscar Peterson feels about melody. Tacky but lovely cover and song titles aside, I don’t have a clue what this has to do with Canada or any country. It’s evocative of romance, of old Hollywood movies, of great old Disney soundtracks. In fact, if you can stomach the most gorgeously sentimental light orchestral (with strings!) mood music this side of the century, step right this way. There’s nothing better than this in 2000. There’s nothing else like this in 2000 either, but don’t let that stop you. Alright, I admit, it’s muzak. All this does is sit there and be absolutely beautiful. Ain’t that enough? I thought I could resist, but I just love the warm and sentimental feelings it gives me. Still can’t figure out what it has to do with Canada though.

At its best: Open places, Morning in Newfoundland, The Okanagan valley, Dancetron, Banff the beautiful, Harcourt nights