180g Vinyl LP! Audiophile Mastering!
Released in 1961 for Reprise, this was the label’s first release by an artistother than Frank Sinatra.
“The veteran tenor Ben Webster had a very warm tone on ballads that contrastedwith the aggressive biting sound he used on faster material. For this 1960 setWebster is joined by a string quartet (arranged by Johnny Richards) and a rhythmsection for his melodic interpretations of a dozen standards. Even when simplystating the melody, Webster brings out unexpected beauty in the songs. His tonehas never been accurately duplicated and is the main reason to pick up this…reissue.” – allmusic.com
“Actually I am not big fan of jazz mixing with strings – it seems to have amuzaky feeling to it. But…. this album is so well done, Webster’s playing isso amazing, that there is no way anyone could call this muzak. The sound isexcellent. It was recorded at Radio Recorders – a great sound studio that wasvery popular in Hollywood in the 50s. The strings are extremely lush and Webstersounds as if he is in the room with you. One additional note – Webster’ssigniture breathy sound is much less breathy than in later albums. Not better,not worse – just a different sound than I am used to hearing. I highly suggestthis LP to any Webster fan and anyone looking for a big fat mellow sound.” – ByT. Butler on August 7, 2004
“I grew up on late 70s and early 80s r&b and soul music and then aggressivelygot into hip-hop. Hip hop music was the music that began to expose me to thejazz classics that seldomly became sampled in the art form. I’m grateful forthat and I have been an avid collector of jazz music for 15 years now. I buymusic randomly and at the spur of the moment and from many artists I have neverheard of…so yes, do own a whole lot of musical garbage! but sometimes I getlucky…like this album here. This was my first Ben Webster album (of which Inow own five) and this one still remains my favorite. This is music for a grownspirit…it is indeed warm and quiet and lush. Buy this as soon as possible,you’ll enjoy it.” – By R. Davis on May 1, 2001
Features:
180g Vinyl LP
Audiophile Mastering
Musicians:
Ben Webster, tenor saxophone
Armond Kaproff, cello
Cecil Figelski, viola
Alfred Lustgarten, violin
Lisa Minghetti, violin
Don Bagley, double bass
Donn Trenner, piano
Frank Capp, drums
Selections:
Side 1:
1. The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi
2. Stella By Starlight
3. With Every Breath I Take
4. Accent On Youth
5. But Beautiful
6. Time After Time
Side 2:
1. Nancy
2. I’m Beginning To See the Light
3. It Was So Beautiful
4. The Whiffenpoof Song
5. It’s Easy To Remember
6. There’s No You
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Los Angeles in 1961.
