Two Jazz Giants Come Together on This Hybrid Stereo SACD! A MustHave for Jazz Saxophone amp; Trumpet Lovers!
In 1962, tenor giants Webster and Harry "Sweets" Edison put a long-cherished plan into action and recorded an album together. Edison, who usually played with Count Basie, and Webster, who toured with Duke Ellington, added pianist Hank Jones, bassist George Duvuvier and drummer Clarence Johnston to the set. The results are something to be proud of. With fantastic solos in titles such as How Long Has This Been Going On and My Romance, tenor saxophonist Ben "The Brute" Webster presents himself as one of the best jazz ballad performers of his time. Edison also leaves no doubt about his skills and has great moments in "Embraceable You". The ballads, along with three other mid-tempo blues numbers, are the highlights of the album.
The two jazz giants Ben Webster and Harry "Sweets" Edison had long wanted to record an album together and in 1962 they did Although associated with two different orchestras (Edison was with Basie and Webster was with Ellington) these two swing kings found that they had a lot in common.
This album features both horn men on three medium tempo blues "Better Go", "Kitty" and "Did You Call Her Today". Other than this Webster gets two tenor features contributing absolutely luscious solos on both "How Long Has This Been Going On" and "My Romance". After listening to these songs there can be no doubt that Webster is one of the best balladeers jazz has ever produced Edison gets his moment in the sun too On the album closer Sweets plays a wonderful even fairly modern sounding rendition of "Embraceable You" using a Harmon mute The ballads enhanced by the wonderful harmonic sense of pianist Hank Jones are the highlight of this release and show both Webster and Sweets' unbeatable melodic sense.
Ben Webster was considered to be one of the three most important 'swing tenors' along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young Known by some as "The Brute" he had a tough raspy and brutal tone on stompes but could deliver warmth and sentiment on softer ballads Trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison spent his early childhood in Kentucky where he was introduced to music by his uncle After moving back to his hometown of Columbus Ohio at the age of 12 he began playing the trumpet with local bands eventually landing a spot with the Count Basie Orchestra.
At a time when some are steering jazz up a rather shallow third stream and others are busy digging up its roots Webster and Edison are only motivated by the sheer love of playing.
The analogue master tape has been reworked by editing legend Bernie Grundman. The recordings have an earthy and sonorous basic character; nevertheless, subtleties of drumming can be heard excellently and the bass is always wonderfully contoured. After the 180g vinyl LP, ORG is now releasing this title as a hybrid SACD.
"Tenor saxophonist Ben Webster and trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison both veterans of the swing era (although associated with different orchestras) had long wanted to record a full album together The results a swinging quintet set with pianist Hank Jones bassist George Duvivier and drummer Clarence Johnston are quite rewarding There are two ballad features for the tenor ("How Long Has This Been Going on" and a beautiful version of "My Romance") and one for Edison ("Embraceable You") along with three medium tempo collaborations Nothing unexpected occurs but the melodic music is quite enjoyable" - Scott Yanow, allmusic.com
