Ben Webster - Verve Jazz Masters 43
Tracklist:
1 Meet the Frog 3:05
2 That's All 2:55
3 Come Rain Or Come Shine 4:22
4 Pennies From Heaven 2:49
5 Old Folks 2:55
6 You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To 4:15
7 You're Mine, You 3:07
8 De-Dar 4:40
9 Bye Bye Blackbird 6:42
10 Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me 4:43
11 In A Mellow Tone 4:17
12 Chelsea Bridge 3:56
13 Love's Away 3:22
14 Soulville 8:01
15 Stardust 2:24
This album is a compilation documenting Webster's output for Verve Records in the 1950s. It features many of his own compositions such as "Love's Away," "Soulville," and "De Dar." Also, we hear Webster play superb versions of some of his very favorite tunes such as "Chelsea Bridge," "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To," and most of all, Duke Ellington's classic "In a Mellow Tone."
Webster is joined by many of the greatest swing/mainstream jazz musicians of all time on this disc. Readings of "Old Folks" with Benny Carter sitting in on alto sax and "You're Mine, You!" with Teddy Wilson tickling the ol' ivories are but two examples of the caliber of musicianship you'll find on this release. As always, Webster's finest moments are the ballads. Renditions of "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me," for example, document Webster still in his prime.
Ray Rivera is an energetic Brooklyn-based proponent of jazz, singing and playing guitar on many labels over many years and for many of the biggest names in music. His talents include songwriting as well as assembling accolades from the great names in jazz, including Tony Bennett ("You don't have to sit down for anyone.") and John Bunch ("If I had to hire a jazz singer, the first person who would come to mind is Ray Rivera.").
Recorded between 1951 and 1959.
Personnel: Ben Webster (tenor saxophone); Herb Ellis, Les Spann, Pete "Guitar" Lewis (guitar); Danny Bank, Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Floyd Turnham, Johnny Hodges, Benny Carter (alto saxophone); Coleman Hawkins, Lorenzo Holderness, Budd Johnson (tenor saxophone); Curtis Lowe, Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone); Don Johnson, Gerald Wilson, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Maynard Ferguson, Roy Eldridge, Shorty Baker (trumpet); George Washington , John Pettigrew, Quentin Jackson, John Sanders (trombone); Devonia Williams, Gerald Wiggins, Jimmy Jones , Jimmy Rowles, Oscar Peterson, Teddy Wilson (piano); Otis (vibraphone); George Jenkins, Leard Bell, Jo Jones , Louie Bellson, Mel Lewis, Alvin Stoller, Stan Levey (drums).
