AAA 100% Analogue This LP was Remastered using Pure Analogue Components Only from the Master Tapes through to the Cutting Head

Analogue Productions - AVRJ 6124-45 - 200 Gram Virgin Vinyl - 

Mastered By George Marino at Sterling -   

AAA 100% Analogue  - Limited Edition - Pressed at QRP - Verve MG VS-6124 

"...these are all truly classic Verve titles that you simply don't want to miss...most importantly, the sound of these reissues is nothing short of astounding. Particularly the early Billie and Ella mono records are incredible treasures of sonic beauty. I'd definitely ask Santa for the whole set, or, if you want to cherry pick, the most classic titles. Whatever you decide, you owe yourself at least a half dozen!" Winner of a Positive Feedback Online Writers' Choice Award 

In away, the story of Ben Webster's saxophone career is the story of jazz music itself through decades of experience. Here we hear a blowing session that matches him with fellow tenorist Harold Ashby in a program of loose originals.

Ben Webster was one of the greatest tenor players in the history of jazz. No one could swing harder, but no one could pull the heartstrings harder, either. Webster came into his own with Duke Ellington’s greatest band, in the early 40s, where he absorbed altoist Johnny Hodges’ masterful approach to melodic playing. Then, like many of his generation, Webster got better and better as he moved into middle age. The long- play era allowed him time to stretch out as a soloist, though in truth he didn’t even need it; there’s a great story of Big Ben sitting in on a club date with two monster saxophonists, Johnny Griffin and Anthony Braxton, and wiping both of them out after they had torn up the changes to “Cherokee,” just by playing the melody! The Soul Of Ben Webster captures the saxophonist in peak form, with a supporting cast that includes fellow tenorman Harold Ashby, an ideal rhythm section, and trumpeter Art Farmer, whose more modern approach to lyrical playing provides fascinating contrast. But Ben makes you forget all else when he gets into numbers like “Chelsea Bridge” and “When I Fall in Love.” His mastery of the ballad really is breathtaking. 

The forerunner of this LP, Ben Webster's Soulville was extremely successful, even for Verve standards. It was only logical, therefore, to invite Ben to a further studio session in New York in July 1958. But for the recording of The Soul Of Ben Webster, a completely different ensemble had been called together. The trumpeter Art Farmer - best known for Cool Jazz - along with Harold Ashby - a fellow musician from the Ellington crew - and the swinging rhythm group guarantee that "Big Ben" (as he was known) didn't lose his bearings during the superb harmonic progressions. "Chelsea Bridge," surely played in a thousand different ways by Duke Ellington's orchestra, is a real gem even when performed by a small ensemble, as here. All in all, this is a convincing medium-sized ensemble made up of remarkable protagonists whose improvisations are of the very highest caliber from beginning to end. And that opinion is still valid even 50 years later!

Originally released in 1961.

The Soul Of Ben Webster is a fine blowing session that matches him with fellow tenorist Harold Ashby in a program of loose originals.

Ben Webster, tenor saxophone
Harold Ashby
Art Farmer, trumpet
Jimmy Jones, piano
Mundell Lowe, guitar
Milt Hinton, bass
Dave Bailey, drums
 

Ben Webster The Soul Of Ben Webster 
1. Fajista
2. Cool Train
3. When I Fall In Love
4. Ev's Mad
5. Chelsea Bridge
6. Ash
7. Charlotte's Piccolo