Title: Soulville Artist: Ben Webster Release Date: 10/15/1957 Re-Released On: 0/0/1958 Label: Verve, Polygram, Universal Japan Duration: 48:45 Album Type(s): Instrumental UPCs: 042283355125, 4988005516794, 0042283355125, 042283355118 Genre: Jazz Styles: Mainstream Jazz, Traditional Pop Moods: Amiable/Good-Natured, Earthy, Exuberant, Joyous, Complex, Elegant, Freewheeling, Passionate, Stylish, Boisterous, Gentle Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Soulville
2. Late Date
3. Time on My Hands
4. Lover, Come Back to Me
5. Where Are You?
6. Makin' Whoopee
7. Ill Wind
8. Who? [#][*]
9. Boogie-Woogie [*]
10. Roses of Picardy [*]

Year Type Label Catalog # 2008 CD Universal Japan 9605 1991 CD Verve 833551-2 1990 CD Polygram 833551

Soulville [Bonus Tracks]

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, All Music Guide

Name Credits Ben Webster Main Performer, Sax (Tenor), Piano Benny Carter Performer Ellie Hughes Design Herb Ellis Guitar Nat Hentoff Liner Notes Norman Granz Producer Oscar Peterson Performer, Piano Phil Schaap Liner Notes Phil Stern Photography, Cover Photo Ray Brown Drums, Bass Richard Seidel CD Preparation Seth Rothstein CD Preparation Stan Levey Drums Tom "Curly" Ruff Digital Remastering Tom Hughes Design