Dig Ben!

More than 35 years after his death Ben Webster’s music remains fresh, contemporary and original; his distinctive sound still enchants and engages at each listening. The American tenor saxophonist came to Europe in 1964, at the relatively late age of 55 , and never returned to the States. Webster had previously put off coming to Europe because of his intense fear of flying but when he finally arrived he was soon crowned King of Tenors by the thousands of fans who gave him their love and respect. Although he longed for his musical roots in the US he never went back; not only because of his fear of flying - he liked being in Europe.

This 8CD box set has more than 10 hours of Ben Webster's music including previously unreleased tracks. The sessions were recorded mainly during 1964 - 1973 in Europe, mostly in Scandinavia, and include live recordings from festivals, clubs and radio and television broadcasts. They feature Webster at Copenhagen's famous Montmartre club and other Danish locations as well as sessions from his renowned month-long residency at London's Ronnie Scott's (his first job in Europe). Completing the set are recordings from Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Germany and several tracks recorded before he left New York.

Webster is heard in various settings- from trios to big bands - in the company of contemporaries including Teddy Wilson, Clark Terry, Buck Clayton and Dexter Gordon. The booklet is illustrated with some great photos of Webster and gives a very personal insight from his closest friends and associates into his life and loves, his music and the colourful anecdotes that arose everywhere this remarkable musician went.

CD 2.
1. On Green Dolphin Street 6:33
2. Bye, Bye Blackbird 4:42
3. Lover Come Back To Me 8:25
4. Wee Dot 2:01
5. Tenderly 5:06
6. Sometimes I'm Happy 5:50
7. Embraceable You 6:50
8. The Theme 0:31
9. Sophisticated Lady 8:05
10. Stridin’ With Ben6:10
11. All The Things You Are 4:15
12. I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me 6:06
13. I Got It Bad 8:23
14. Our Blues 6:27
Total time: 79:55

CD 3.
1. Danny Boy 4:26
2. Intro Ronnie Scott 0:46
3. Blues In B Flat 5:44
4. Star Dust 7:41
5. Gone With The Wind 7:35
6. The Theme 4:12
7. Confirmation 7:06
8. Poutin’ 8:32
9. A Night In Tunisia 7:38
10. Over The Rainbow 5:10
11. How High The Moon 3:36
12. Willow Weep For Me 5:17
13. Perdido 8:51
Total time: 77:01

CD 4
1. Pennies From Heaven 6:12
2. Blues In B Flat 4:51
3. In A Mellotone 7:19
4. Sunday 4:22
5. Cotton Tail 6:19
6. Gone With The Wind 8:26
7. Cotton Tail 7:03
8. My Romance 7:22
9. Cotton Tail 5:00
10. In A Mellotone 13:69
11. How Long Has This Been Going On? 5:08
Total time: 75:32

CD 5.
1. The “C”Jam Blues 6:13
2. My Romance 4:21
3. Our Love Is Here To Stay 5:26
4. Avalon 6:25
5. Chelsea Bridge 4:12
6. Danny Boy 4:17
7. How High The Moon 4:53
8. How Long Has This Been Going On? 7:03
9. B-Flat Blues 8:41
10. Medley: 8:40
How Long Has This Been Going On?
Sophisticated Lady
11. In A Mellotone 10:48
12. For Heavens Sake 7:48
Total time:79:14

CD 6.
1. The “C” Jam Blues 9:03
2. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore 7:12
3. The Theme 5:02
4. Old Folks 7:26
5. Satin Doll 11:14
6. Things Ain’t What They Used To Be 7:35
7. I’ve Got Rhythm 6:19
8. Satin Doll 12:43
9 Indiana 8:13
Total time: 74:55

CD 7.
1. Things Ain't What They Used To Be 3:10
2. Cotton Tail 3:21
3. Greensleeves 2:21
4. Rockin' In Rhythm 5:41
5. Stompy Jones 5:37
6. Cry Me A River 4:12
7. Bojangles 4:13
8. Perdido 8:15
9. Our Love Is Here To Stay 3:31
10. Ain’t Misbehavin’ 5:00
11. Mop Mop 5:57
12. Our Love Is Here To Stay 4:59
13. Perdido 15:13
Total time: 71:56

CD 8
1. Did You Call Her Today (take 1) 0:51
2. Did You Call Her Today (take 2) 6:00
3. Did You Call Her Today (take 3) 0:45
4. Did You Call Her Today (take 4) 2:14
5. Did You Call Her Today (take 5) 1:42
6. Did You Call Her Today (take 6) 0:22
7. Did You Call Her Today (take 7) 0:59
8. Did You Call Her Today (take 8) 7:01
9. Baby It’s Cold Outside (take 1,2,3) 2:05
10. Baby It’s Cold Outside (take 4) 4:39
11. Baby It’s Cold Outside (take 5) 4:07
12. Cottontail (Duke Ellington) 3:48
13. Old Folks (take 1)0:17
14. Old Folks (take 2) 7:41
15. Old Folks (take 3) 0:51
16. Old Folks (take 4) 1:16
17. Old Folks (take 5) 1:50
18. Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone 3:59
19. The Song Is Ended 2:37
20. Poutin (take 1,2) 5:09
21, Poutin (take 3) 4:22
22. Poutin (take 4,5,6,7,8,9) 4:22
23. Randle’s Island* (take 10) 2:41
24. Randle’s Island (take 11) 2:16
25. Randle’s Island (take 12) 4:03
Total time: 77:15