Drawing on seven of Oscar Peterson's Telarc CDs recorded between 1990 and 2000, Oscar's Ballads is a discerning collection which has a special appeal even to possessors of the parent albums, since it focuses entirely on Oscar's contemplative and quietly lyrical side. It is additionally interesting in that Peterson composed all eight tracks and while it might be hard to imagine anybody else playing these pieces, they are more often than not works of considerable quality--especially "If Only You Knew" (where he is joined by fellow pianist and protégé Benny Green) and the noble "Peace In South Africa", recorded in 1990 but written before liberation. Peterson may have lost some of his stupefying authority since his stroke in the early 90s but he remains a major piano voice. This set is especially recommended to newcomers, though they should speedily check out his earlier Verve and Pablo work too. --Richard Palmer