The by turns grizzled and vaporous-toned {|Webster|} really hit his {|stride|} on the {|Verve|} label. During a stretch from roughly 1953-1959, the {|Ellington|} alumnus showcased his supreme playing with both combos and string sections, swingers and... Read more

The by turns grizzled and vaporous-toned {|Webster|} really hit his {|stride|} on the {|Verve|} label. During a stretch from roughly 1953-1959, the {|Ellington|} alumnus showcased his supreme playing with both combos and string sections, swingers and {|ballads|} -- and lurking beneath his blustery and hulking sound were solo lines brimming with sophistication and wit. This 1957 date with {|the Oscar Peterson Trio|} is one of the highlights of that golden '50s run. After starting off with two bluesy originals -- the slow burning title track and gutsy {|Late Date|} -- {|Webster|} gets to the heart of things on five wistful {|ballads|}: Here, his exquisitely sly {|Makin' Whoopee|} is only outdone by an incredibly nuanced {|Where Are You.|} Providing sympathetic counterpoint, {|Peterson|} forgoes his usual pyrotechnics for some leisurely compact solos; his cohorts -- guitarist {|Herb Ellis|}, bassist {|Ray Brown|}, and drummer {|Stan Levey|} -- are equally assured and splendid. And ending the set with flair, {|Webster|} takes over the piano for three somewhat middling yet still impressive {|stride|} and {|boogie-woogie|}-styled numbers (these are his only piano recordings). Newcomers shouldn't hesitate to start here. ~ Stephen Cook Less