The Way I Really Play

The Way I Really Play (also released as The Great Oscar Peterson on Prestige!) is a 1968 album by jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. It is the third part of Peterson's Exclusively for My Friends series.

Reception
Writing for AllMusic, critic Ken Dryden wrote "The influence of Art Tatum is apparent during his intricate runs within "Love Is Here to Stay," while the multifaceted original "Sandy's Blues" (dedicated to his wife) combines a dark mood with a swinging setting. The lighthearted waltzing treatment of "Alice in Wonderland" is pure joy, while another original, "Noreen's Nocturne," is simply a showstopper."

The Penguin Guide to Jazz includes the album in its selected "Core Collection."

Track listing

 * 1) "Waltzing Is Hip" (Ray Brown, Johnny Wayne) – 6:11
 * 2) "Satin Doll" (Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn) – 10:05
 * 3) "Love Is Here to Stay" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 4:54
 * 4) "Sandy's Blues" (Oscar Peterson) – 9:34
 * 5) "Alice in Wonderland" (Sammy Fain, Bob Hilliard) – 4:46
 * 6) "Noreen's Nocturne" (Oscar Peterson) – 9:20

Performance
Recorded at the private studio of Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer, Villingen-Schwenningen, West Germany, November 12, 1967:


 * Oscar Peterson – piano
 * Sam Jones – double bass
 * Bobby Durham – drums

Production

 * Recording director and engineer - Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer
 * Liner notes - Gene Lees
 * Liner notes translated - Dr. B. Falk
 * Cover photography - Sepp Werkmeister
 * Reverse side photography - Sepp Werkmeister
 * Graphic work - Hans B. Piltzer