Ben Webster - Gentle Ben / 45RPM 2LP Analogue Productions

This recording was made ten months before Ben Webster's death in 1972. Webster had left the USA in 1965 to live in Europe - first in Copenhagen, later in Amsterdam - and was visiting his friend,

the musician Tete Montoliu, in Barcelona. Webster and pianist Montoliu reminisced about the old days when they had performed together regularly during Webster's Copenhagen days. In fact, Montoliu

described Webster and Don Byas as the two musicians who influenced him most. Webster and Montoliu had a deep understanding of each other and you can sense on this disc how comfortable they were

with each other. They accompany each other seamlessly. On board are Montoliu's regular trio musicians, Eric Peter on bass and Peer Wyboris on drums.There is no shortage of Webster's typically breathy

yet lush tenor sound. In fact, the rich, sultry, gigantic sound of this saxophone blossoms in this sparse arrangement like almost no other recording. Highlights include 'Ben's Blues', 'Sweet Georgia Brown',

'The Man I Love' and 'Don't Blame Me'.

Title

Side A

1. Ben's Blues

2. The Man I Love

Side B

1. My Nethew Bent

2. How Long Has This Been Going On

Side C

1. Sweet Georgia Brown

2. Don't Blame Me

Side D

1. Did You Call

2. Barcelona Shout