The performances on this live set (recorded in Switzerland) were not initially released until 2001. Pianist
Teddy Wilson and tenor saxophonist
Ben Webster had played together on and off for decades, including in
Wilson's 1939 big band. The first six selections on this CD are actually by
Wilson's trio (with bassist
Isla Eckinger and drummer Peter Giger) and are fairly typical of
Wilson's work during his last 30 years. He runs for the umpteenth time through such songs as "Don't Be That Way," "Honeysuckle Rose," and "Flying Home." But when
Webster makes the group a quartet on the final five numbers, some sparks fly as he digs into "In a Mellotone," "Stardust," "Ben's Blues," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," and "Sunday." Although not classic or essential, this music is certainly enjoyable and shows that
Ben Webster still had a lot of life left in his playing this late in his career. ~ Scott Yanow