King of the Tenors

Ben Webster

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8
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King of the Tenors Review

by Ron Wynn

This 1953 date matched Webster with such peers as alto saxophonist Benny Carter, trumpeter Harry Edison, and pianist Oscar Peterson for a series of elegant yet soulful and exuberant small group dates. With no cut longer than four and a half minutes, the players didn't have time for excess statements or overkill; they had to quickly get to the heart of the matter in their solos, make their points, and return to the head. The original session has been enlarged by the addition of two previously unissued tracks, plus an alternate version of "That's All" that was later issued as a single. Label head Norman Granz excelled in producing swing-oriented, crisply played mainstream dates. Although this date is more than four decades old, Ben Webster's solos have a freshness and vitality that make them quite relevant to contemporary events.

Track Listing

	Title/Composer	Performer	Time	Stream
1	Tenderly Walter Gross / Jack Lawrence	Ben Webster	03:05	Spotify Amazon
2	Jive at Six Harry "Sweets" Edison	Ben Webster	04:15	Spotify Amazon
3	Don't Get Around Much Anymore Duke Ellington / Bob Russell	Ben Webster	03:09	Spotify Amazon
4	That's All Alan Brandt / Bob Haymes	Ben Webster	03:50	Spotify Amazon
5	Bounce Blues Ben Webster	Ben Webster	04:35	Spotify Amazon
6	Pennies from Heaven Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston	Ben Webster	02:52	Spotify Amazon
7	Cotton Tail Duke Ellington	Ben Webster	03:23	Spotify Amazon
8	Danny Boy Frederick Edward Weatherly	Ben Webster	03:40	Spotify Amazon
9	Poutin' Ben Webster	Ben Webster	03:59	Spotify Amazon
10	Bounce Blues Ben Webster	Ben Webster	03:39	Spotify Amazon
11	That's All Alan Brandt / Bob Haymes	Ben Webster	02:54	Spotify Amazon