Ben Webster - Atmosphere For Lovers & Thieves

Late-period groove, free from America’s pressures

This 1971 release was part of the final period of Ben Webster’s career. In 1964 Webster – one of the three all-time great swing tenor saxophone players, along with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young – had moved to Copenhagen, Denmark. The pressure was off and Webster was able to record what he wanted, when he wanted. Relaxed and easy, Webster takes the windy path here, tipping his hat to Yesterdays and Stardust along the way. Don’t think his performance is insipid, though. There’s plenty of emotion in these grooves, Dukes Blue Light is a witness to that.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Pure Pleasure/Black Lion | BLPP 30105

Reviewed by Paul Rigby
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