Customer Reviews

Ben Webster & Associates

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ben Webster's spacious mellow sound could warm the most jaded; his lush sax is almost a prayer of romance and renewal. This is a superb album, booth because of Webster's playing and his hall of fame associates: Roy Eldridge (trumpet), Coleman Hawkins and Budd Johnson (tenor sax), Ray Brown (bass)-- but wait, there's more!--Jo Jones (drums, Les Spann (guitar) and Jimmy Jones (piano). This 1959 date is remastered very well, except for the somewhat muffled sound of the non-Webster saxes.

The Ducal "In a Mellow Tone (20:25)" is quintessential Webster, who opens with his unmistakable regal, luxuriating sound. Although basically a long blues piece, it remains interesting throughout, with exceptional solos by all players.

Roy Eldridge's outstanding trumpet is of almost equal importance here, and his influence on both Dizzy and Miles is clear: The former by his blistering high register attacks, and the latter by his muted, beautifully articulated tones. Webster also shows his versatility, floating us along or tearing into it, almost Texas style. Webster may have a trademark style, but he's fluent in several styles. His "Time After Time" is the best version I've ever heard, slowly embracing each note and using a light touch to hit just the right soulful notes. "Young Bean" has a nice hard bop feeling to it, with an excellent solo by Les Spann, and "Budd Johnson closes the CD with some nice work by Johnson.

I consider this one of the most enjoyable jazz instrumental albums around. Easy for the jazz newcomer, it's also challenging and virtuosic enough for the longtime jazz fan. A CD that can be savored!

This is truely one of two of the most amazing albums in Jazz. If you are fimiliar with Max Roach, Coleman Halwkins, Ray Brown then you're in for a real treat. This album plays mellow then hot beginning with nearly 20mns of the Duke's "In A Mellowtone" which is nearly blissful. This album will move you in its depth of feeling and is indespensible for anyone who is into Webster.

A musician buddy of mine loaned me his copy of this disc as I had told him how much I liked Coleman Hawkins' stuff, the elegant smoothness of it. During that conversation I got schooled on a variety of sax playing characteristics such as phrasing. It was at that point that I understood just what it was that made me like this more delicate sounding Jazz vs. Bop, Fusion, or any other atonal/uptempo/non-melodic style you can name.

I can safely say this is one album I'll NEVER get tired of listening to. Every time I play it, I like it a little more.

Background music during dinner, maybe to provide a little atmosphere for you and your sweetie when you have some quiet time together... these songs come at you at an easy pace and when they get there, they soothe your tired, weary soul. These days, I find that to be a very welcome kind of music to have at the ready at the end of a long, stressful day.

So the next time you feel like doin' a little slow dancing in your stocking feet in front of the fireplace before going to bed... don't forget to pay a little visit to Soulville first.

This great Verve-styled jam session stars Ben Webster, who is in top form, Coleman Hawkins and Roy Eldridge, whose grand qualities I have already known, and Budd Johnson who is a real revelation to me (I have heard only his early work with Louis Armstrong and Luis Russell in the 30's). Johnson somehow shows both Websterish gentle passion and Hawkish tendency towards modernism (check his solo on In a Mellotone; he is the first tenorist to solo).

Since the stars are at their best (does anyone need convincing how great Webster, Eldridge and Hawk can be?), it is very fortunate that the rhythm section is also top-class, with Jimmy Jones (p), Les Spann (g), Ray Brown (b) and Jo Jones (dm); piano guitar and bass are heard in few very interesting solos, whereas Jo Jones gives great rhythmical support.

Finally, I would like to point out that this is a jam session, not arranged peace of music (and should accordingly be savoured for the value of the solos and their more or less spontanious interaction).

I cannot begin to describe how wonderful this album is. There is something special about several of jazz's elder statesmen getting together to jam on a hi-fi recording like this. I don't think any musician from any other era could play with such intensity and emotion as these stalwarts of the Swing Era. To hear three of the greatest tenor saxophonists of all time play together is a divine treat. The addition of Roy Eldridge (swing's greatest trumpet man) and jazz's greatest drummer, Mr. Jo Jones, is just too much. The sheer musicianship on this album is astounding. Coleman Hawkins and Roy Eldridge truly inspired each other, and they always played their best when together. Also, the taste of Budd Johnson and the soul of Ben Webster can't be beat. "In A Mellow Tone" is one of the best tracks ever recorded, and there is never a dull moment in this 20+ minute take. Play this album for someone not familiar with jazz, and they will be hooked. That's how good this CD is.

An excellent album on all levels - excellent musicianship, wonderful songs and lotsa time for the players to stretch their chops. I am particulary drawn to "Time After Time", winning my vote for the sexiest song ever (and version, hear it by other artists, including vocalists and there is zero comparison). I think that musicians will appreciate the disc for it's craftmanship and the average listen for it's simple beauty.

I do like this one, but the other rave reviews make me wonder if I'm listening to the same recording. Were it a live concert, it would be an all-star cast & worth being there. As a studio session, it seems more like a parade of solos rather than a cohesive band. The mastering could be better; I had to tweek the volume/EQ to even hear Ray Brown's (always stellar) bass solos. And it seems like Bud Johnson shines best of the three tenors, despite Hawkins's talent & it being Ben's session. Still, I agree with one reviewer in that "Time After Time", with Ben being the sole soloist, seems the quintessential Ben ballad, with all of his tricks & licks that show up in other songs put to best use in this one. Jam-session CD otherwise.