Somehow this 1961 Reprise title seems to have escaped the audiophile must-have list. It’s a true hidden classic and an incredibly warm recording. The small combo setting really allows these two heavyweights to shine. The mood is laid-back and down-home. Accompanying musicians include trumpeter Gerald Wilson, pianist Ernie Freeman, bassist Ralph Hamilton and drummer Jim Miller. Roots was recorded at the often underrated or forgotten Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California. The studio, built in 1929, was one of the truly great – and great-sounding – studios of its day with an unbelievable discography of classics to its name.
When the line below the artist’s name says ‘featuring Ben Webster,’ and even if the artist is a bluesman to the core, you know there will be jazz inflections. If anyone was able to show that the to genres are inextricably linked, it’s Witherspoon, who could take material by Bill Broonzy and make it sound like it was filtered through Count Basie. … you’ll be torn between filing it with blues or jazz.
| 1. I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water |
| 2. I’m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town |
| 3. Key To the Highway |
| 4. Did You Ever |
| 5. Confessin’ the Blues |
| 6. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out |
| 7. Your Red Wagon |
| 8. Rain Is Such a Lonesome Sound |
| 9. Cherry Red |
| 10. It’s A Low Down Dirty Shame |
| 11. Just a Dream |
| 12. Please, Mr. Webster |