Ben Webster Stardust 45RPM (2 LP)

AAA Audiophile 200g 45rpm Double LP!
Mastered by René Laflamme from the Original 15 ips Tapes!
Cut All Analog at Bernie Grundman Mastering!
The double LP "Stardust" contains a careful selection of Ben Webster recordings from the years 1964 to 1970. The American jazz scene changed in the 1960s under the influence of John Coltrane, and it became increasingly difficult for Webster to make a living from his music. The offer to play at Ronnie Scott's London jazz club for a month marked a turning point in his career: he settled in Northern Europe and spent his last years there.
Webster's playing is as passionate and intense as ever. With his beautiful, almost tender ballad interpretations, he never succumbed to the temptation to increase the tempo, as was common at the time. Thus, he is also considered one of the "warmest and most sensitive" performers (Barry Ulanov).
The new and rare collection of tracks on this album is a thoughtfully chosen compilation from Ben Webster's European period (1964-1970). The offer to play for a month at Ronnie Scott's Club in London in late '64, marks a turn in Ben Webster's career as he settled in Northern Europe, where he spent the rest of his life.
Even if his body declined during his last years, his playing never did. To the last day, Webster played with passion and intensity and his ballad playing became even more beautiful and tender, simplified almost to the laconic and delivered with weight on every note. He never launched into double-time while playing ballads, as was the custom at the time, but maintained the songs feeling throughout while staying in the slow tempo. Webster was one of the unique jazz musicians whose presence came through on every recording.
Webster was one of the unique jazz musicians whose presence came through on every recording. He is regarded as one of the three foremost swing-era tenor saxophonists: the two others being Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. His ballad playing and sound inspired such later fellow saxophonists as Paul Gonsalves, Harold Ashby, Archie Shepp, Eddy "Lockjaw" Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and Branford Marsalis. His rough playing with growl was emulated by Charlie Ventura and David Murray, and it also inspired R&B and rock saxophonists, who often combined the use of growl with altissimo notes.
Ben Webster, who was described by Barry Ulanov as one of "the warmest and most sensitive of performers," is among that exclusive hierarchy of jazz artists to whose consistent excellence there can never be an over-abundance of recorded testimony.
This album offers a balanced and thoughtfully chosen selection of tracks, recorded between 1964 and 1970 in Copenhagen, his adopted city.
The unique compilation presents a window in that very important period in Webster's career.
Mastered by René Laflamme from the original 15 ips tapes, on all tube equipment.

Features:

• AAA Audiophile 200g Vinyl
• Double LP
• 45rpm
• Sourced from First-Generation Analog Recordings Without Any Digital Corruption
• 2xHD Mastering on Nagra Equipment by René Laflamme from the Original 15 ips Tapes
• Cut All Analog at Bernie Grundman Mastering on Tube-Cutting Equipment
• Gatefold Jacket
• Made in Canada

Selections:

Side A
1. Stardust
2. Cry Me A River
Side B
1. Willow Weep For Me
2. Old Folks
Side C
1. Going Home
2. Cottontail
3. Come Sunday
Side D
1. Our Blues
2. Sunday