Ben Webster - Gentle Ben (2LP, 45 tours, 200g)
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster [click here to see more vinyl featuring Ben Webster]
Bass – Eric Peter
Drums – Peer Wyboris
Piano – Tete Montoliu
2 LP, gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 200g
Record color : black
Speed : 45 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Quality Record Pressings
Label : Analogue Productions
Original Label : Ensayo
Recorded November 28, 1972 at Casino De L'Alianca Del Poblenou, Barcelona, Spain
Produced by Antonio Armet
Remastered by Kevin Gray
Originally released in 1972
Reissued in 2011
Tracks:
Side A:
- Ben's Blues
- The Man I Love
Side C:
- My Nephew Bent
- How Long This Has Been Going On
Side C:
- Sweet Georgia Brown
- Don't Blame Me
Side D:
- Did You Call
- Barcelona Shout
Reviews:
“This aptly named set was recorded on November 28, 1972, in Barcelona, Spain. Although many of Ben Webster's European sessions suffered when compared to his American ones, this outing is one of the exceptions, due in no small part to the fluid piano work of Tete Montoliu. Supported by a rhythm section of Eric Peter on bass and Peer Wyboris on drums, both Webster and Montoliu have plenty of room to breathe, and the result is a wonderful and pleasant set highlighted by the opening track, "Ben's Blues," and an easy, elegant version of "Sweet Georgia Brown." Webster's trademark breathy tenor sax tone is in full supply here, but the real revelation is Montoliu, who proves to be a marvelous jazz pianist, making Gentle Ben somewhat of an overlooked gem.” AllMusic Review by Steve Leggett
"The soundstage is intimate and inviting, Webster's horn beautifully captured with sweet, rich overtornes, the bass liquid, chugging, and textured, piano and drums easy and natural. As with each title, the music emerges from QRP's beautifully flat and wonderfully silent surfaces with that much more "there-ness." Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound, January 2013
"...Webster's trademark sensual sound is on full display and, of course, he's backed by Montoliu, an outstanding Spanish piano veteran who accompanied all the great jazz artists passing through Europe...This is one of the first releases by Analogue Productions pressed at their new in-house pressing plant Quality Record Pressings, and the record bears a close resemblance in appearance to records from Pallas - beautiful looking and perfectly quiet...The superb 200-gram LP comes in a rice paper sleeve and jacket of heavy cardboard...Highest Recommendation." Dennis D. Davis, Hi-Fi+, Issue 81
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4 / 5 , Discogs : 4,55 / 5 , The Absolute Sound : Sonics = 4/5; Music = 3.5/5 , , Hi-Fi+ : Recording = 10/10; Music = 8.5/10