Customer Reviews

Moder Jazz Quartet

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

 

 

The subtitle of this CD is "An Exceptional Encounter," and that says it all. I know of no other recordings of the former Ellington tenor sax giant with the equally famous Modern Jazz Quartet of Milt Jackson on vibes, John Lewis on piano, Percy Heath on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. It's a live 1953 session from New York, and the sound isn't topnotch, but the tunes ("Cotton Tail," "Confirmation," "You Are Too Beautiful," "Lady Be Good," "Danny Boy," "Nearness of You," "Billy's Bounce" and "Poutin'") are.You can't pass this up if you're a Webster or MJQ fan -- or if you like the electricity of great artists playing a rare date together.

As expected, the work and performance of Webster is right on-point but the recording of this performance feels a bit like it was recorded on a standard 2-track tape recorder. Way too much background noise, not enough detail (focus) on the performance. If you want to feel as though you're in a busy jazz club, sitting towards the back, listening to Webster " kick it "......this is the album for you.

Ben Webster had an ear for talent, for example, in hiring young Charlie Parker & also in this pairing with the less than famous at the time MJQ. More spotlight on Ben here, with some tunes found on several other recordings, but fine solos from all players. Also nice mix of half ballads, half uptempo tunes - Ben still capable of playing fast with flair unlike his later recordings. A pleasant surprise.