BEN WEBSTER QUINTET - Soulville (1957-2013) RM / SACD / MONO / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

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. by Stephen Cook  
Tracklist :
1     Soulville 8:04
Ben Webster
2     Late Date 7:15
Ben Webster
3     Time on My Hands 4:20
Harold Adamson / Mack Gordon / Vincent Youmans
4     Lover, Come Back to Me 8:29
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
5     Where Are You? 4:44
Harold Adamson / Jimmy McHugh
6     Makin' Whoopee 4:32
Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
7     Ill Wind 3:38
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
8     Who? 2:58
Otto Harbach / Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
9     Boogie-Woogie 3:10
Ben Webster
10     Roses of Picardy 2:08
Frederick Edward Weatherly / Hayden Wood
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Stan Levey
Guitar – Herb Ellis
Piano – Oscar Peterson
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster