MG-26006: The Big Tenor / Ben Webster

	Label Type :	blue EmArcy type A
	Matrix Number :	SIDE-A	YMG26006A Y    M    A
		SIDE-B	YMG26006B    M    B

Comments

All tracks are also available on EP-1-6011 and EP-1-6012.

Inside The Groove

A great compilation of Ben Webster's Mercury era.

Personal Impression (and brief notes)

Ben Webster's Mercury era (1951-1953) was one of his best throughout the post-war period. He recorded dozen of tracks, some as a leader, some as a sideman backing up Dinah Washington, Jay McShann, Johnny Otis, The Ravens and Marshall Royal.

This EmArcy 10-inch LP, a compilation of his Mercury era, features three different sessions. On all tracks, we can fully enjoy Ben Webster's bold and mellow tenor improvisations. A great album.

Strictly Personal Rating (to what extent I could enjoy this album)

10 out of 10

Track Listing

Personnel

Personnel/recorded date/master numbers confirmed with the Ruppli's discography.
(“The Mercury Labels - A Discography” by Ruppli and Novitsky, Greenwood Press, 1993)

A-4: Jay McShann and his Orchestra:
Orvill Minor (tp), Fats Dennis (ts), Clifford Jenkins (ts), Ben Webster (ts),
Jay McShann (p), Gene Griddins (g), Pee Wee Crayton (g, vo), Lloyd Anderson (b), Cooky Jackson (ds).
Recorded in Kansas City, KS on December 19, 1951.

B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4: Ben Webster Sextet:
Maynard Ferguson (tp), Benny Carter (as), Ben Webster (ts),
Gerald Wiggins (p), John Kirby (b), George Jenkins (ds).
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA on December 27, 1951.

A-1, A-2, A-3: Ben Webster with Johnny Richard's Orchestra:
Don Elliot (tp, mel), Eddie Bert (tb),
Sam Rubinowitch (as, picc), Ben Webster (ts), Sidney Brown (bs),
Billy Taylor (p), Milt Hinton (b), Jo Jones (ds),
Johnny Richards (arr).
Recorded in New York City on January 12, 1953.

Jackets

Front	Back

Labels

Side A	Side B