Soulville

by Ben Webster Quintet, Ben Webster

Overview

The by turns grizzled and vaporous-toned Webster really hit his stride on the Verve label. During a stretch from roughly 1953-1959, the Ellington alumnus showcased his supreme playing with both combos and string sections, swingers and ballads -- and lurking beneath his blustery and hulking sound were solo lines brimming with sophistication and wit. This 1957 date with the Oscar Peterson Trio is one of the highlights of that golden '50s run. After starting off with two bluesy originals -- the slow burning title track and gutsy "Late Date" -- Webster gets to the heart of things on five wistful ballads: Here, his exquisitely sly "Makin' Whoopee" is only outdone by an incredibly nuanced "Where Are You." Providing sympathetic counterpoint, Peterson forgoes his usual pyrotechnics for some leisurely compact solos; his cohorts -- guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Stan Levey -- are equally assured and splendid. And ending the set with flair, Webster takes over the piano for three somewhat middling yet still impressive stride and boogie-woogie-styled numbers (these are his only piano recordings). Newcomers shouldn't hesitate to start here. ~ Stephen Cook

Product Details

Release Date:	11/24/2023
Label:	Destination Moon
UPC:	8055515234190
Rank:	28383

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ben Webster Quintet   Primary Artist
Ben Webster   Primary Artist,Piano,Sax (Tenor)
Ben Webster Quartet   Primary Artist
Oscar Peterson   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Piano
Ray Brown   Guest Artist,Bass,Drums,Double Bass
Stan Levey   Drums
Herb Ellis   Guitar

Technical Credits

Jerome Kern   Composer
Harold Arlen   Composer
Barry Alfonso   Liner Notes
Walter Donaldson   Composer
Horace Silver   Composer
Richard Seidel   CD Preparation
Mark Smith   Production Assistant
Phil Schaap   Liner Notes
Norman Granz   Producer
Otto Harbach   Composer
Oscar Peterson   Performer
Tom Hughes   Design
Bryan Koniarz   Reissue Producer
Gus Kahn   Composer
Harold Adamson   Composer
Vincent Youmans   Composer
Sigmund Romberg   Composer
Hayden Wood   Composer
Suha Gur   Reissue Mastering
Ted Koehler   Composer
Bobby Bloom   Composer
Ken Druker   Executive Producer
Jimmy McHugh   Composer
Benny Carter   Performer
Ben Webster   Composer
Mack Gordon   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
Jeff Barry   Composer
Nat Hentoff   Liner Notes
Lew Pollack   Composer
Seth Rothstein   CD Preparation
Ellie Hughes   Design
Stephanie Stein Crease   Notes Editing
Hollis King   Reissue Art Director
Tom "Curly" Ruff   Digital Remastering
Phil Stern   Cover Photo,Photography
Edward O'Dowd   Reissue Design
Burt Goldblatt   Photography
Sherniece Smith   Art Producer
Lou Davis   Composer
Haydn Wood   Composer
Katherine Holzman Goldblatt   Photography
Frederick Edward Weatherly   Composer
Fred Weatherly   Composer