6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant, June 18, 2001
This review is from: Ultimate Ben Webster (Audio CD)
James Carter, who selected the songs for this album, sure knows his Ben Webster. His selections show Ben in a variety of settings, from small groups to orchestral, and even throws in a couple of rare tracks with Ben playing piano instead of sax. We also get 3 vocal songs, one with Dinah Washington, the other two with The Ravens. James also writes a very informative essay on Ben Webster. This is a wonderful album,...for those who wish to learn more about Webster this is a great place to start.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ben in the 50s, June 25, 2007
This review is from: Ultimate Ben Webster (Audio CD)
Yes, this is a Verve CD, so Webster's recordings from the 30's, 40's, 60's and even early 70's (and a part of the 50's) were probably not available for selection, which is a pitty considering Websters great contribution, for instance, to Duke Ellington's orchestra, or to all-stars recording sessions with Billie Holiday...
So, if string sellections were a bit suppresed and The Ravens tracks thrown out (I mean, come on?)this might be the actual "Ultimate" selection.
However, Carter made a great and quite individual choice from the 50's, providing insightful comments (as opposed to comments accompanying Gillespie's and Vaughan's "ultimate" Verve albums).
So, this really is a nice intro to the art of Ben Webster and a great christmas present.
In addition to Ben, You can also hear on a track or two some other fine artists (Oscar Peterson, Dinah Washington, Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins...).
If you don't own most of Ben's work in the 50's you should buy this to see what it was all about.
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4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
rich and happy, December 20, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Ultimate Ben Webster (Audio CD)
This is a rich and happy album. Every song is luscious. It's a best of collections album, selected by James Carter. The saxaphone is gorgeous, soaring, comforting, and I'm sure incredibly skillful--if I only knew. But i'd never heard of ben webster before i heard a piece from this album on a radio program so I'm a new fan, happily. I'm learning and listening to this beautiful artist. It's my christmas present choice for friends and family and a good bet they'll enjoy considerably, because it is gorgeous music.
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