Ben Webster

[Nate Dogg]

I looked around for an existing Ben Webster thread and could not find one. He is mentioned in several threads. But, I figure he deserves a thread of his own.

To get things started. The iTunes April Verve Vault selections came out recently and an excellent Ben Webster CD is included, the 30 second samples show that it is loaded with great dance tracks. I might actually buy the full album off eMusic, assuming the content can't be found elsewhere. For those who are unaware, Verve Vault releases are out of print and in theory can only be found on iTunes.

I generally buy single tracks off iTunes. In the cases where I want a whole album I will buy a real CD, it is often cheaper and I just like having a real disc that I can rip the way I want to, no DRM nonsense, etc...

Ben Webster - The Big Tenor (on Emarcy)
Released in 1954, not much data for it on AMG.
Sounds like a complilation due to the variety of tracks.

If you want to see the tracklist, just look for the Veve Vault banner on the iTunes Music Store main page.

Does anybody have any insight on this album? How exclusive are the tracks to iTunes?

[GemZombie]

Once again I found the Proper Box Set for Ben Webster (Called Big Ben) to be a great set. It features of lot of side work, as well as some of his Lead stuff. It's a great overall collection.

If you get some of these tracks that aren't available anywhere else, let me konw, i'd love to hear about it.

[Nate Dogg]

That is what I am not sure about. The album is out of print, but the tracks may be on other compilations/source albums.

That is common with some of the Verve Vault stuff. Most likely, some of the tracks are available elsewhere and others are not.

I am interested in the Proper Box, probably one of the next ones that I will get.

Nathan

[Roy]

I have Ben Webster "the Verve Years" There are a lot of good dance tracks and lots of great musicians besides Webster playing on the tracks (Peterson, Strayhorn, Teddy Wilson).

Because of this CD Websters proper box set is the next item on my too buy list.

[Jerry_Jelinek]

Ben Webster - The Big Tenor (on Emarcy)
Released in 1954, not much data for it on AMG.
Sounds like a complilation due to the variety of tracks.

I'll try to remember to post the discography when I get home.

I think this session had Maynard Ferguson on it. At least one of the tracks is on a compilation of Maynards:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... eb97ikkr5t

I recall there is only 1 or 2 tracks from the LP on this compilation CD.

It is too bad that the Emarcy label (jazz division of Mercury), hasn't found complete recordings in CD form yet. Who ever has the rights to Emarcy hasn't been very good at releasing these early 1950s recordings.

[CafeSavoy]

Ben Webster - The Big Tenor (on Emarcy)
Released in 1954, not much data for it on AMG.
Sounds like a complilation due to the variety of tracks.

Does anybody have any insight on this album? How exclusive are the tracks to iTunes?

http://microgroove.jp/mercury/MG26006.shtml

MG-26006: The Big Tenor / Ben Webster
[Front Cover] Label Type : blue EmArcy type A
Matrix Number : SIDE-A YMG26006A Y M A
SIDE-B YMG26006B M B


Comments

All tracks are also available on EP-1-6011 and EP-1-6012.
Inside The Groove

A great compilation of Ben Webster's Mercury era.
Personal Impression (and brief notes)

Ben Webster's Mercury era (1951-1953) was one of his best throughout the post-war period. He recorded dozen of tracks, some as a leader, some as a sideman backing up Dinah Washington, Jay McShann, Johnny Otis, The Ravens and Marshall Royal.

This EmArcy 10-inch LP, a compilation of his Mercury era, features three different sessions. On all tracks, we can fully enjoy Ben Webster's bold and mellow tenor improvisations. A great album.
Strictly Personal Rating (to what extent I could enjoy this album)

10 out of 10


Track Listing
SIDE-A
A-1 9456-8 Hoot -
A-2 9457-5 Pouting -
A-3 9458-4 The Iron Hat -
A-4 4619-2 Duke And The Brute -
SIDE-B
B-1 4721-3 Old Folks -
B-2 4722-1 King's Riff -
B-3 4720-2 Randall's Island -
B-4 4723-2 You're My Thrill -
Personnel

Personnel/recorded date/master numbers confirmed with the Ruppli's discography.
(“The Mercury Labels - A Discography” by Ruppli and Novitsky, Greenwood Press, 1993)

A-4: Jay McShann and his Orchestra:
Orvill Minor (tp), Fats Dennis (ts), Clifford Jenkins (ts), Ben Webster (ts),
Jay McShann (p), Gene Griddins (g), Pee Wee Crayton (g, vo), Lloyd Anderson (b), Cooky Jackson (ds).
Recorded in Kansas City, KS on December 19, 1951.

B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4: Ben Webster Sextet:
Maynard Ferguson (tp), Benny Carter (as), Ben Webster (ts),
Gerald Wiggins (p), John Kirby (b), George Jenkins (ds).
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA on December 27, 1951.

A-1, A-2, A-3: Ben Webster with Johnny Richard's Orchestra:
Don Elliot (tp, mel), Eddie Bert (tb),
Sam Rubinowitch (as, picc), Ben Webster (ts), Sidney Brown (bs),
Billy Taylor (p), Milt Hinton (b), Jo Jones (ds),
Johnny Richards (arr).
Recorded in New York City on January 12, 1953.

http://microgroove.jp/mercury/EP-1-6012.shtml
EP-1-6012: The Big Tenor / Ben Webster
[Front Cover] Label Type : blue EmArcy EP
Matrix Number : SIDE-A EP-1-6012A M D
SIDE-B EP-1-6012B M D


Comments

Excerpts from MG-26006 (10-inch).

A small tear on the front cover.

Companion release is EP-1-6011.


Track Listing
SIDE-A
A-1 4721-3 Old Folks -
A-2 4722-1 King's Riff -
SIDE-B
B-1 4720-2 Randall's Island -
B-2 4723-2 You're My Thrill -
Personnel

Ben Webster (ts), Maynard Ferguson (tp), Benny Carter (as),
Geraold Wiggins (p), John Kirby (b), George Jenkins (ds).
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA on December 27, 1951.


Jackets
Front Back
[EP-1-6012 FRONT] [EP-1-6012 BACK]


Labels
Side A Side B
[EP-1-6012 A] [EP-1-6012 B]