Just like Buddy Rich (heard in an almost subliminal role on one of the bonus tracks here), whose technique was regarded with awe by fellow drummers, pianists can hardly resist admiring and being jealous of Peterson. Not just for his speed, but his consistency, his touch, his rhythmic relaxation and his unfailing groove. You don't have to particularly like what he does to acknowledge his qualities, but the inevitability of his arrangements and of his solos carries its own rewards, especially for listeners not into subtlety. The conventional wisdom is that Night Train is the favourite of all his trio albums and, if you want just one, this is an obvious recommendation – forced to choose just some years ago, I cheated and nominated Trio + One with Clark Terry. Here you have a strong focus on the blues, and no fewer than five Ellington tunes, which doesn't preclude some pretty over-the-top playing that just happens to swing like mad.