See You At The Fair [Verve Acoustic Sounds Series] in Bloomington, MN

Ben Webster
's final American recording was one of his greatest. At 55, the tenor saxophonist was still very much in his prime but considered out of style in the U.S. He would soon permanently move to Europe where he was better appreciated. This CD has the nine selections originally included on the LP of the same name, a quartet set with either
Hank Jones
or
Roger Kellaway
on piano, bassist
Richard Davis
, and drummer
Osie Johnson
.
Webster
's tone has rarely sounded more beautiful than on
"Someone to Watch Over Me"
and
"Our Love Is Here to Stay."
In addition, one song from the same session (but originally released on a sampler) and two tunes featuring
on an
Oliver Nelson
date (
More Blues and the Abstract Truth
) wrap up this definitive CD. ~ Scott Yanow