Jimmy Witherspoon & Ben Webster - Roots

180-gram vinyl

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from the original analog tape!

Plated and pressed at Quality Record Pressings!

"... Kudos to blues lover Chad Kassem for recognizing the sonic pearl hiding behind a good but not stellar original recording. Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio has proven yet again why vinyl rules the audiophile universe. Compared to a white label promo original, this issue is a quantum leap improvement, with three dimensional images and a big fat sound to die for." Recording = 10/10; Music = 10/10 — Dennis D. Davis, Hi-Fi +, Issue 84

"When the line below the artist's name says 'featuring Ben Webster,' and even if the artist is a bluesman to the core, you know there will be jazz inflections. If anyone was able to show that the to genres are inextricably linked, it's Witherspoon, who could take material by Bill Broonzy and make it sound like it was filtered through Count Basie. ... you'll be torn between filing it with blues or jazz. Buy it for one of the finest interpretations ever of 'Key to the Highway.'" — Sound Quality 90 percent — Ken Kessler, Hi-Fi News, November 2012

A true hidden classic! 

Somehow this 1961 Reprise title seems to have escaped the audiophile must-have list. It's a true hidden classic and an incredibly warm recording. The small combo setting really allows these two heavyweights to shine. The mood is laid-back and down-home. Accompanying musicians include trumpeter Gerald Wilson, pianist Ernie Freeman, bassist Ralph Hamilton and drummer Jim Miller. Roots was recorded at the often underrated or forgotten Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California. The studio, built in 1929, was one of the truly great - and great-sounding - studios of its day with an unbelievable discography of classics to its name.

1. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water

2. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town

3. Key To the Highway

4. Did You Ever

5. Confessin' the Blues

6. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out

7. Your Red Wagon

8. Rain Is Such a Lonesome Sound

9. Cherry Red

10. It's A Low Down Dirty Shame

11. Just a Dream

12. Please, Mr. Webster

Customer Reviews (5.00 Stars) 10 person(s) rated this product.

A Real Masterpiece posted on 03/18/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: John C From the moment the needle drops on this gem, it’s apparent this record is special. Amazing music. Amazing mastering. Amazing pressing. This record is in rarefied air.

Step your game up posted on 01/07/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Johnnymics Just an absolute stunning album. 5’s across the board. Flat, silent vinyl and the mastering is impeccable. I bought this album without ever listening to it before. You can’t beat it, especially at this price. Step your game up, get this album!

Great! posted on 12/31/2022 5 Stars Reviewer: Chris Man, this is great! This album has everything; great vocals and the trumpet, sax, drums, piano are flowing so smoothly... so well balanced. A real pleasure!

Hats off to Jimmy, Ben and Mr. Kassem posted on 10/18/2020 5 Stars Reviewer: S. Madon This record now belongs with other top-notch top-shelf records in my collection - the easy to access ones, subject to repeated play! Jimmy Witherspoon is at his soulful best here, amply supported by the venerable Ben Webster and the small intimate combo of backing musicians. Chad Kassem has hit a home-run bringing this gem to us. And a special thanks to Michael Fremer for pointing in its direction. The recording is beautifully balanced, setting a nice soundstage and allows for space and separation. Dead quiet vinyl. Put this one on, close your eyes and be transported to an intimate club setting, late night show, on a rainy night! Can you hear the applause? It's LOUD and SUSTAINED.

Flawless Re Master posted on 10/12/2019 5 Stars Reviewer: qdrone This recording is flat out perfect, nice analog warmth and the songs are great too. Ben Webster's full throated baritone sax,Gerald Wilson's trumpet along with Witherspoon's pipes makes this record a winner. The rhythm section is special too providing whatever the songs require.

Lovin' the sonics posted on 11/22/2015 5 Stars and the music ain't bad either. This one's going into my heavy rotation stack.

Wonderful posted on 03/16/2014 5 Stars Great LP of old blues standards jazzed up a bit. Witherspoon is in great voice and backing musicianship with Ben Webster is top notch. Sonically, there is a nice warmth here. You can close your eyes and see yourself in a small club. Very welcome release. Kick back, grab your favorite beverage and let it wash over you.

great posted on 05/22/2012 5 Stars Reviewer: Jorge Ferreira great album, sound and pressing.

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