Ben Webster - Stormy Weather

Reissue of "Live at Jazzhaus"

"Stormy Weather" and "Gone With the Wind" are reissues of "Live at the Jazzhaus" Vols. 1 & 2 (1965). Along with "The Jeep is Jumping" (also 1965) they constitute Webster"s best later work after having moved to Europe. The reissues have a better sound than the "...Jazzhaus" volumes. The program includes many of the standard ballads associated with Webster. There is never a dull performance. Webster, like Ellington, just kept getting better with age. Webster plays with one of the leading bands in Europe at the time, the Alex Riel Trio comprised of Kenny Drew on piano, Alex Riel on drums and the amazing Nils Henning Orsted Penderson on bass. December 25, 2008

Great, Cool, Live Jazz

I love "cool" straight-ahead jazz from the 50s and 60s, and this album is one of my favorites. It combines virtuosity and top-notch musicianship with the spontaneity and feeling that comes from a live performance. The recording, production and mastering are so good (especially considering the time) that I wasn't aware this was live until the end of the first cut.

Ben Webster really shines here. His combination of passion, restraint and extraordinary talent are all on vivid display.

If you love cool jazz, or Ben Webster, or are just interested in some excellent jazz, you can't do much better than this. June 23, 2008

Black Lion Ben Webster

For my money, the Black Lion sessions of Ben Webster are the most enjoyable recordings that I have by this wonderful tenor. The sound is very alive and has character. The selections represent most of the song book that he played in his late career.

The whole trio plays very well behind him. These recordings were made at the Monmarte in Denmark.

Get all three before they are gone. You will not regret it. i had them on LP from the 1970's, and I paid more for them back then--especially volumes 2 and 3 which I had to import from England.

There are approximately 5-7 volumes of Monmartre recordings of Dexter Gordon from the late 60's that are great too! August 1, 2006

Webster at his best.

This album is comprised of select cuts from Webster's Jazzhus (Jazzhaus) Vol 1 & 2 CDs. Though this version is missing some of the songs of the Jazzhus CDs (most noteably "Misty"), the mastering job a a tich better and the liner notes are more informative. So what to do? If you love Webster get all three discs. They are all (for now) available used.

Tim Butler
Chicago August 6, 2004

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