Jazz
MUSIC FOR LOVING: BEN WEBSTER WITH STRINGS contains the two 1955 LPs, MUSIC FOR LOVING and MUSIC WITH FEELING (including five previously unreleased, alternate takes), as well as Harry Carney's 1954 LP HARRY CARNEY WITH STRINGS.
MUSIC FOR LOVING: BEN WEBSTER WITH STRINGS
Principally recorded at Fine Sound, New York between May 28, 1954 and September 9, 1955
Ben Webster (tenor saxophone); Ralph Burns (conductor); Billy Strayhorn (conductor, piano); Al Epstein (English horn, flute, clarinet); Danny Bank (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet); Tony Scott, Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet); David Novales, Mischa Russell, Leo Kruczek, Jack Zayde, Harry Lookofsky, Tosha Samaroff (violin); Richard Dickler, Burt Fisch (viola); Rudolph Sims, Bernard Greenhouse, Abram Borodkin, George Ricci, Lucien Schmit (cello); Teddy Wilson, Hank Jones (piano); George Duvivier, Chet Amsterdam, Ray Brown (bass); Louie Bellson, Osie Johnson, Jo Jones (drums)
Originally released as MUSIC WITH FEELING on Norgran (1039) and as MUSIC FOR LOVING on Norgran (1018).
HARRY CARNEY WITH STRINGS
Recorded at Fine Sound, New York on December 13, 1954
Harry Carney (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet); Jimmy Hamilton (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Ray Nance (trumpet, violin); Tony Miranda (French horn); Mac Ceppos, Martin Donegan, Ben Gerrard, Howard Kay, Eugene Orloff, Sylvan Shulman, Zelly Smirnoff, Isadore Zir (violin); Sidney Edwards, Doris Johnson, Alan Shulman (cello); Leroy Lovett (piano); Billy Bauer (guitar); Wendell Marshall (bass); Louie Bellson (drums)
Originally released on Clef (640).
Reissue producer: Michael Lang.
Originally released as three separate LPs. Includes liner notes by Loren Schoenberg.
Combining two string albums by Ben Webster and one from Ellington sideman Harry Carney, the two-disc Music With Feeling delivers over two hours' worth of incredible ballad interpretations. Webster, of course, made his name with many an after-hours gem, and he predictably shines here amidst the lush yet tasteful orchestral charts penned by Ralph Burns, Gerald Wilson, and Billy Strayhorn; there are particularly fine renditions here of "Early Autumn" and Strayhorn's misty and mercurial "Chelsea Bridge." Carney, too, is stunning, handling the traditionally cumbersome baritone saxophone with grace and loads of feeling, especially on highlights like "It Had to Be You" and his and Strayhorn's "Chalmeau." Forget all those bachelor-pad compilations and give this collection a spin at your next cocktail party.
---Stephen Cook, Courtesy All Music |
