Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson [1 Bonus Track]

Another fine release on that sees the tenor great once again backed by the deluxe . In keeping with the high standard of their collaboration of two years prior, and the trio -- is joined by bassist and drummer -- use this 1959 date to conduct a clinic in playing. And while certainly ranks as one of the tenor saxophonist's best discs, the set gets even higher marks for its almost transcendent marriage of after-hours elegance and effortless mid-tempo swing -- none of 's piano work to break up the mood here. Besides reinvigorating such lithe strollers as (nice bass work by here) and and company achieve classic status for their interpretation of the gem And to reassure fans worried about scant solo time for their hero, the pianist lays down a healthy number of extended runs, unobtrusively shadowing 's vaporous tone and supple phrasing along the way. Not only a definite first-disc choice for newcomers, but one of the legend's all-time great records. ~ Stephen Cook