Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster

Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster

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Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster Review

by Cub Koda

Make no mistake about it, the swing and bop start right here on this legendary 1959 session between baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and tenor man Ben Webster. Produced by Norman Granz as an early Verve album, this Mobile Fidelity 24-karat gold-disc reissue is sonically worth the extra bread as it feels like you're right in the control room every note of the way. The opening track, Billy Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge" is lush and emotional and truly sets the tone for this album. With Jimmy Rowles on piano (his intro on "Sunday" sounds like a ragtimer like Willie "The Lion" Smith just pushed him off the stool before the band came in), Mel Lewis on drums, and the always superb Leroy Vinnegar on bass present and accounted for, the rhythm section is superbly swinging with just the right amount of bop lines and chords in the mix to spice things up. The ghost of Duke Ellington hovers over every note on this record (Billy Strayhorn was one of his main arrangers) and that is a very good thing, indeed. There's a beautiful, understated quality to the music on this session that makes it the perfect relaxing around the house on a rainy day disc to pop in the player. File this one under cool, very smooth, and supple.

Track Listing

Title/Composer Performer Time Stream
1
Chelsea Bridge
Billy Strayhorn
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster 07:22 SpotifyAmazon
2
The Cat Walk
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster 05:47 SpotifyAmazon
3
Sunday
Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster 07:25 SpotifyAmazon
4
Who's Got Rhythm
Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster 07:42 SpotifyAmazon
5
Tell Me When
Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster 05:06 SpotifyAmazon
6
Go Home
Chester Conn / Benny Krueger / Ned Miller / Jule Styne
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster 10:04 SpotifyAmazon
7
In a Mellotone
Duke Ellington / Milt Gabler
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster 06:57 SpotifyAmazon
8
What Is This Thing Called Love?
Cole Porter
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster 07:28 SpotifyAmazon
9
For Bessie
Ben Webster
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster 05:41 SpotifyAmazon
10
Fajista
Ben Webster
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster 05:50 SpotifyAmazon
11
Blues in B Flat
Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster 07:22 SpotifyAmazon
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Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster

Gerry Mulligan Discography Browser