The nickname “The Brute and the Beautiful” was aptly given to Ben Webster. He became famous for his beautiful sound, which gave his ballad playing a unique touch of tenderness, while his playing in faster tempos was virile and filled with growl. Webster was not exactly under-recorded during his forty-year playing career, but he is among that exclusive hierarchy of jazz artists to whose consistent excellence there can never be an over-abundance of recorded testimony. He is regarded as one of the three foremost swing-era tenor saxophonists – the two others being Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young.
“I’ve heard Ben play in so many settings, but to sit down and listen to him play a ballad – nobody who ever played a ballad does a better job than Ben Webster does on it.” – Dizzie Gillespie.
The sound of this collection is nothing short of astounding. A must for all Ben Webster’s fans!
The package includes two audiophile SM900 tapes recorded at 15 ips in CCIR (also available in NAB), on two balanced metal reels manufactured in Germany by Feinwerktechnik allgäu GmbH and an elegant booklet.
This is a historically significant album.
Based in Montreal and created by audiophile sound engineer René Laflamme and producer André Perry, all 2xHD Tapes are from the original analog master and transfer in analog domain using a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified with high-end tube playback electronics, wired from the playback head. In the high-end audio world, René has carved out a reputation for definition of excellence and uses his knowledge and unfailing instinct to match various audio components to create the best all-encompassing sound experience.
For the recording on this tape, the original 1/4″ 15 ips NAB or CCIR master tapes were played on a Nagra-T tape recorder, modified wtih high-end tube playback electronics, wired with OCC silver cable from the playback head direct to a Nick Doshi tube head preamplifier. The Nagra T, with its four direct drive motors, two pinch rollers and a tape tension head, is one of the best transports ever made. A custom-built carbon fiber head block and a head damping electronic system permit 2xHD FUSION to obtain more transparency and better 3D imaging. This copy was recorded on a Nagra IV-S 1/4″ at 15 ips.
** It is standard practice in all recording studios to keep the tape “tail out.” This reduces “pre-echo” and it means that the tape should be placed on the right hand side of the recorder, re-wound and then played.
Features
Deluxe Limited Edition
2 Master Quality Reel To Reel Tapes
Pure Analogue Copy at 15 ips, CCIR EQ, from the Analog Master Tape
2 Audiophile SM 900 Tapes
2 Balanced Metal Reels Made in Germany by Feinwerktechnik allgäu GmbH Metal Reels
2xHD Mastering by René Laflamme on Nagra Equipment with Vacuum Tube Tape Head Electronics
Deluxe Clamshell Box
Made in Canada
Selections
Tape 1:
Stardust
Cry Me a River
Willow Weep for Me
Old Folks
My Romance
Tape 2:
Going Home
Cottontail
Come Sunday
Our Blues
Sunday
For Heaven’s Sake