Motions and Emotions

Motions & Emotions is a reissue of Oscar Peterson's 1969 album. On this album, Oscar Peterson presents jazz versions of popular pieces from pop, easy listening, and classic songwriters.

The quartet of long-time companions are washed in rich orchestral colors, arranged and conducted by the great Claus Ogerman, who had previously worked for Tom Jobim. Ogerman's arrangements bring new life to familiar tunes, such as Jimmy Webb's "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" and Bobby Gentry's "Ode To Billy Joe".

The orchestra builds a luminous tropical backdrop for Peterson's phrasing in Jobim's "Wave", while paying tribute to Henry Mancini in "Sally's Tomato" with feather-light brilliance. Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" and Burt Bacharach's "This Guy's In Love With You" are given new interpretations, showcasing Peterson's skillful harmonies and bluesy decorations.

The album also features bossa nova influences in "Yesterday" and a dynamic rendition of The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby". German Jazz trumpeter Till Brönner considers Motions & Emotions to be his absolute favorite album, describing it as the perfect instrumental album with enthusiastic detail work in the popular sector.