Ben Webster - Stardust

New compilation from Ben Webster's European period (1964-1970)

200-gram 45 RPM deluxe double LP!

Mastered by René Laflamme from the original 15 ips tape, on all-tube equipment

The new and rare collection of tracks on this album is a thoughtfully chosen compilation from Ben Webster's European period (1964-1970). The offer to play for a month at Ronnie Scott's Club in London in late ‘64, marks a turn in Ben Webster's career as he settled in Northern Europe, where he spent the rest of his life.

Even if his body declined during his last years, his playing never did. To the last day, Webster played with passion and intensity and his ballad playing became even more beautiful and tender, simplified almost to the laconic and delivered with weight on every note. He never launched into double-time while playing ballads, as was the custom at the time, but maintained the songs feeling throughout while staying in the slow tempo.

Webster was one of the unique jazz musicians whose presence came through on every recording. He is regarded as one of the three foremost swing-era tenor saxophonists: the two others being Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. His ballad playing and sound inspired such later fellow saxophonists as Paul Gonsalves, Harold Ashby, Archie Shepp, Eddy "Lockjaw" Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and Branford Marsalis. His rough playing with growl was emulated by Charlie Ventura and David Murray, and it also inspired R&B and rock saxophonists, who often combined the use of growl with altissimo notes.

Ben Webster, who was described by Barry Ulanov as one of "the warmest and most sensitive of performers," is among that exclusive hierarchy of jazz artists to whose consistent excellence there can never be an over-abundance of recorded testimony.

This album offers a balanced and thoughtfully chosen selection of tracks, recorded between 1964 and 1970 in Copenhagen, his adopted city.

The unique compilation presents a window to a historically significant period in Webster's career.

Mastered by 2xHD's René Laflamme from the original 15 ips tapes, on all-tube equipment.

Features:

Sourced from first generation analog recordings without any digital corruption
AAA Audiophile 200g 45rpm double LP
2xHD mastering on Nagra Equipment by René Laflamme
Duplication from the analog master
Cut all analog at Bernie Grundman Mastering, on tube cutting equipment

Feel the warmth

The 2xHD Fusion Mastering System is an innovation in audio restoration for a virtual audio reality. In the constant evolution of its proprietary mastering process, 2xHD has progressed to a new phase called 2xHD Fusion, integrating the finest state-of-the-art analog Nagra-T tape recorder modified with high-end tube playback technology, wired with OCC silver cable for better transparency and 3D imaging. 2xHD Vinyl are sourced from first generation analog recordings without any digital corruption. The cutting is done at Bernie Grundman Mastering on tube cutting equipment.

Side A

Stardust - H. Carmichael

Cry Me A River - A. Hamilton

Side B

Willow Weep For Me - A. Ronell

Old Folks - Robinson, Hill

Side C

Going Home - Traditional arrangement N.J. Steen

Cottontail - D. Ellington, arrangement N.J. Steen

Come Sunday - D. Ellington, arrangement Ray Pitts

Side D

Our Blues - B. Schaerff, B. Webster

Sonday - J.Styne, B. Krueger

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