One has to wonder if
Ben Webster ever led a bad session, or hell, even played on one.
Webster, while recognized by
jazz aficionados as a master improviser and technician, is hardly a household name, despite the fact that of all the
Ellington tenor alumni, he was the most consistent in his output as a leader. As for this volume, the licenses on this material are all held by Verve and Mercury despite the fact that the first of these, under the moniker
Ben Webster and "His Orchestra," was issued on the Norgran label in December of 1953. The band on these six selections -- all
standards, including "Pennies From Heaven," and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" -- included
Harry "Sweets" Edison,
Benny Carter in the alto chair,
Ray Brown,
Herb Ellis, and
Oscar Peterson, in an uncharacteristically spare and tasteful performance. The second recording date, which was issued on the Clef label seven months prior to the first, included
Ellington's "Cotton Tail," and
Webster's own "Poutin'," and was played by a quintet that included
Barney Kessel and
J.C. Heard. This is
Webster at his hard yet smooth swinging best.
Heard's pulse is so bright and airy it's infectious. The last session here was the first one recorded, in January of 1953, in typical -- and confounding -- Jazz Factory fashion: the entire disc is presented in reverse order.
Webster is showcased in an orchestra setting, of which he was co-leader with
Johnny Richards. But it is his interactions with the stellar rhythm section of
Billy Taylor, bassist
Milt Hinton, and drummer
Jo Jones on
Richards' "Hoot," and "Iron Man," that are so remarkable. This is essential
Webster, full on and in full possession of the powers that made him such a singular and necessary talent. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
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