Ben Webster - Ballads (Remastered) (2017) [Official Digital Download 24/192]

The nickname “The Brute and the Beautiful” was aptly given to tenor saxophonist Ben Webster. He became famous for his beautiful sound which gave his ballad playing a unique touch of tenderness, while his playing in faster tempos was virile and filled with growl.

Webster is regarded as one of the three foremost swing era tenor saxophonists – the two others being Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. His ballad playing and sound inspired such later fellow saxophonists as Paul Gonsalves, Harold Ashby, Archie Shepp, Eddie ”Lockjaw” Davis, Frank Foster, Sonny Rollins, Flip Phillips, Georgie Auld, John Coltrane, Scott Hamilton, and Branford Marsalis. Ben never launched into double-time while playing ballads, as was the custom with most tenor saxophonists at that time, but maintained the song’s feeling throughout while staying in the slow tempo. He was one of the unique jazz musicians whose presence came through on every recording.

„In the 1950s, tenor-saxophonist Ben Webster was at the peak of his powers. His musical personality really featured two separate emotions: harsh and tough on the faster pieces and surprisingly warm and tender on the ballads. Webster uses the latter voice throughout this two-LP set. On all but four of 20 selections, Ben is backed by a string section arranged by Ralph Burns (except for "Chelsea Bridge" which was arranged by Billy Strayhorn) and, although clarinetists Tony Scott and Jimmy Hamilton and pianists Teddy Wilson and Hank Jones are heard from, the focus is otherwise entirely on the great tenor. The final four numbers, which matches Webster with Wilson in a stringless quartet, also stick to ballads. Music that is both beautiful and creative.“ (Scott Yanow, AMG)

Tracklist:
01. Stardust (6:25)
02. Cry Me a River (4:15)
03. For Heaven's Sake (7:51)
04. Greensleeves (2:26)
05. My Romance (8:40)
06. Willow Weep for Me (5:21)
07. Old Folks (7:32)

Personnel:
Ben Webster, tenor saxophone
Tony Scott, clarinet
Jimmy Hamilton, clarinet
Danny Bank, clarinet, flute
Billy Strayhorn, piano
Teddy Wilson, piano
Hank Jones, piano
Wendell Marshall, double bass
Ray Brown, double bass
George Duvivier, double bass
Louie Bellson, drums
Osie Johnson, drums
Jo Jones, drums
Ralph Burns, arrangements, conductor