Sunday, November 20, 2011

Ben Webster Quintet - Soulville (2003)


Ben Webster Quintet - Soulville (2003)
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Genre ~ Mainstream, Saxophone | Label ~ Verve (Master Edt)

The by turns grizzled and vaporous-toned Webster really hit his stride on the Verve label. During a stretch from roughly 1953-1959, the Ellington alumnus showcased his supreme playing with both combos and string sections, swingers and ballads -- and lurking beneath his blustery and hulking sound were solo lines brimming with sophistication and wit. This 1957 date with the Oscar Peterson Trio is one of the highlights of that golden '50s run. After starting off with two bluesy originals -- the slow burning title track and gutsy "Late Date" -- Webster gets to the heart of things on five wistful ballads: Here, his exquisitely sly "Makin' Whoopee" is only outdone by an incredibly nuanced "Where Are You." Providing sympathetic counterpoint, Peterson forgoes his usual pyrotechnics for some leisurely compact solos; his cohorts -- guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Stan Levey -- are equally assured and splendid. And ending the set with flair, Webster takes over the piano for three somewhat middling yet still impressive stride and boogie-woogie-styled numbers (these are his only piano recordings). Newcomers shouldn't hesitate to start here. ~Allmusic

Tracklist:
01. Soulville (8:04)
02. Late Date (7:16)
03. Time on My Hands (4:20)
04. Lover, Come Back to Me (8:30)
05. Where Are You? (4:44)
06. Makin' Whoopee (4:33)
07. Ill Wind (3:39)
08. Who (2:59)
09. Boogie Woogie (3:10)
10. Roses of Picardy (2:08)

Personnel:
Ben Webster - tenor saxophone, piano (#8-10)
Oscar Peterson - piano (#1-7)
Herb Ellis - guitar
Ray Brown - bass
Stan Levey - drums

Recorded October 1957, in Hollywood
Original recordings produced by Norman Granz
Original LP-cover photograph by Phil Stern
Reissue produced by Bryan Koniarz
Mastered by Suhar Gur at Universal Mastering Studio-East
Art directed by Hollin King
Designed by Edward O'Dowd
Art production managed by Sherniece Smith
Production assistance by Mark Smith
Notes edited by Stephanie Stein Crease
Reissue photography by Burt Goldblatt and Katherine Holzman Goldblatt
Executive Producer: Ken Druker


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