Ben Webster - Ultimate Ben Webster (1998) Lossless

Young Turk tenor saxophonist James Carter gets the nod to curate this Ben Webster edition of Verve's fine Ultimate series. Avoiding the pitfalls of many a vintage jazz collection (too many popular performances), Ultimate Ben Webster features a nice mix of the expected ("Cotton Tail") and obscure ("I'll Be Back"). The majority here was cut during the bebop and hard bop eras, showcasing a player in his autumnal splendor. And, of course, ballads like "Time After Time," "Ill Wind," and "Tenderly" are the standouts, Webster's vaporously sensual tone in full flower. That's not to forget the all-star company on hand, which includes the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Hank Jones, and Roy Eldridge, among many others. A treat.

Yes, this is a Verve CD, so Webster's recordings from the 30's, 40's, 60's and even early 70's (and a part of the 50's) were probably not available for selection, which is a pitty considering Websters great contribution, for instance, to Duke Ellington's orchestra, or to all-stars recording sessions with Billie Holiday...
So, if string sellections were a bit suppresed and The Ravens tracks thrown out (I mean, come on?)this might be the actual "Ultimate" selection.
However, Carter made a great and quite individual choice from the 50's, providing insightful comments (as opposed to comments accompanying Gillespie's and Vaughan's "ultimate" Verve albums).
So, this really is a nice intro to the art of Ben Webster and a great christmas present.
In addition to Ben, You can also hear on a track or two some other fine artists (Oscar Peterson, Dinah Washington, Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins...).
If you don't own most of Ben's work in the 50's you should buy this to see what it was all about.