Born in Montreal, Canada, Peterson began learning trumpet and piano from his father at the age of five, but by the age of seven, after a bout of tuberculosis, he concentrated on the piano. Some of the artists who influenced Peterson during the early years were Teddy Wilson, Nat "King" Cole, James P. Johnson, and the legendary Art Tatum, to whom many have tried to compare Peterson in later years. In fact, one of his first exposures to the musical talents of Art Tatum came early in his teen years when his father played an Art Tatum record to him and Peterson was so intimidated by what he heard that he didn't touch the piano for over a week.
He soon developed a reputation as a technically brilliant and melodically inventive jazz pianist, and became a regular on Canadian radio. His United States introduction was at Carnegie Hall, New York City in 1949 by Norman Granz; owing to union restrictions his appearance could not be billed.
Some of his musical associates have included Lester Young, Ray Brown, Ben Webster, Herb Ellis, Ed Thigpen, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Louis Armstrong, Stéphane Grappelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, Joe Pass, Count Basie, and Stan Getz. An important step in his career was joining impresario Norman Granz's labels (especially Verve records) and Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic package, with which he was able to play with the major jazz artists of the time. Granz was also his manager for most of Peterson's career. Some cognoscenti assert that Peterson's best recordings were made for the MPS label in the late 'sixties and early 'seventies. For some years subsequently he recorded for Granz's Pablo Records after the label was founded in 1973 and in more recent years for the Telarc label.
In 1993, Peterson suffered a serious stroke that weakened his left side and sidelined him for two years. However he overcame this setback and went back to touring, recording, and composing on a limited basis. In 1997 he received a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement and an International Jazz Hall of Fame Award. He died on December 24th, 2007 of kidney failure.
The Gravy Waltz
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smell the gravy simmerin' nearly half a mile away
Lady morning glory, I say good morning to you
Chirpy little chickadee told me that my baby was true
Well, she really ran to get her frying pan
When she saw me coming
Gonna get a taste before it goes to waste
Mister Weeping Willow, I'm through with all of my faults
'Cause my baby's ready to do the ever new gravy waltz
Well, she really ran to get her frying pan
When she saw me coming
I'm gonna get a taste before it goes to waste
This honeybee's humming
Mister Weeping Willow, I'm through with all of my faults
'Cause my baby's ready to do the ever new gravy waltz
Mister Weeping Willow, I'm through with all of my faults
'Cause my baby is ready to do the ever new gravy
Mmm, nice gravy, dear, waltz
The song "Gravy Waltz" by Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown is a playful and upbeat tune that celebrates the joy of good food and love. The opening verse sets the scene in the kitchen, where the aroma of the simmering gravy fills the air. The singer playfully addresses his sweetheart as "Lady Morning Glory" and "Chirpy Little Chickadee," affirming her fidelity and loyalty to him.
The second verse follows the singer into the kitchen, where he eagerly awaits a taste of the delicious gravy before it goes to waste. The image of the "honeybee humming" suggests a carefree and joyful mood, as if the singer is dancing around the kitchen, filled with the excitement of love and good food. The final verse returns to the image of the "Weeping Willow," but this time the singer proclaims that he is "through with all of my faults" because his baby is ready to join him in the "ever new gravy waltz."
Overall, "Gravy Waltz" is a lighthearted celebration of the simple pleasures of life, such as good food and love. The playful lyrics and upbeat melody make it a fun song to dance to, and the message of joy and gratitude is one that resonates with many people.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty mamma's in the kitchen this glorious day
The singer's mother is in the kitchen on a wonderful day
Smell the gravy simmerin' nearly half a mile away
The singer can smell the gravy cooking from far away
Lady morning glory, I say good morning to you
The singer greets someone they know as morning glory
Chirpy little chickadee told me that my baby was true
The artist heard from a bird that their significant other is faithful
Well, she really ran to get her frying pan
The artist's significant other quickly grabbed a frying pan
When she saw me coming
The significant other saw the singer and reacted
Gonna get a taste before it goes to waste
The singer will try the gravy before it is thrown out
This honeybee's humming
The artist is buzzing with excitement
Mister Weeping Willow, I'm through with all of my faults
The artist has left behind their mistakes and regrets
'Cause my baby's ready to do the ever new gravy waltz
The artist's significant other is prepared to dance with them and enjoy the meal
Mister Weeping Willow, I'm through with all of my faults
The singer has left behind their mistakes and regrets
'Cause my baby's ready to do the ever new gravy waltz
The artist's significant other is prepared to dance with them and enjoy the meal
Mmm, nice gravy, dear, waltz
The gravy is delicious and the singer invites their loved one to share a dance
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAYMOND M BROWN, STEVE ALLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind