Music for Loving


Music for Loving is an album by American jazz saxophonist Ben Webster with tracks recorded in 1954 and released by Norgran in 1955. The album was reissued in 1957 by Verve as Sophisticated Lady. In 1996 Verve released a double CD compiling the album with another Norgran LP, Music with Feeling, and one by Harry Carney, Harry Carney with Strings which was first released by Clef.

Reception

Reviewing the compilation AllMusic's Stephen Cook stated that "the two-disc Music With Feeling delivers over two hours' worth of incredible ballad interpretations. Webster, of course, made his name with many an after-hours gem, and he predictably shines here amidst the lush yet tasteful orchestral charts penned by Ralph Burns, Gerald Wilson, and Billy Strayhorn... Forget all those bachelor-pad compilations and give this collection a spin at your next cocktail party". The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected the double CD reissue as part of its suggested Core Collection.
It was voted number 2 in the 50 All-Time Overlooked Jazz Albums from Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums.

Track listing

Original LP
Side A
  1. "All Too Soon" – 4:45
  2. "Love Is Here to Stay" – 3:21
  3. "It Happens to Be Me" – 3:21
  4. "My Funny Valentine" – 3:23
  5. "You're Mine, You" – 3:07
Side B
  1. "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me" – 4:43
  2. "Prelude to a Kiss" – 4:46
  3. "Come Rain or Come Shine" – 4:22
  4. "Sophisticated Lady" – 3:04
  5. "Love's Away" – 3:19
1995 Double CD Compilation
Disc one
  1. "Chelsea Bridge" – 3:56 Originally released on Music with Feeling
  2. "Willow Weep for Me" – 4:38 Originally released on Music with Feeling
  3. "There Is No Greater Love" – 3:41 Originally released on Music with Feeling
  4. "Teach Me Tonight" – 4:03 Originally released on Music with Feeling
  5. "Until Tonight" – 4:10 Originally released on Music with Feeling
  6. "We'll Be Together Again" – 4:32 Originally released on Music with Feeling
  7. "Blue Moon" – 5:06 Originally released on Music with Feeling
  8. "Early Autumn" – 4:49 Originally released on Music with Feeling
  9. "My Greatest Mistake" – 3:35 Originally released on Music with Feeling
  10. "What Am I Here For" – 3:57 Originally released on Music with Feeling
  11. "All Too Soon" – 4:45
  12. "Love Is Here to Stay" – 3:21
  13. "It Happens to Be Me" – 3:21
  14. "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me" – 4:43
  15. "Prelude to a Kiss" – 4:46
  16. "Come Rain or Come Shine" – 4:22
  17. "Love Is Here to Stay" – 3:17 Previously unissued
  18. "Love Is Here to Stay" – 3:16 Previously unissued
Disc two
  1. "Some Other Spring" – 4:46 Previously unissued
  2. "When Your Lover Has Gone" – 3:37 Previously unissued
  3. "Stars Fell on Alabama" – 4:32 Previously unissued
  4. "Under a Blanket of Blue" – 3:17 Previously unissued
  5. "Stars Fell on Alabama" – 4:40 Previously unissued
  6. "Under a Blanket of Blue" – 3:31 Previously unissued
  7. "Under a Blanket of Blue" – 3:20 Previously unissued
  8. "My Funny Valentine" – 3:23
  9. "You're Mine, You" – 3:07
  10. "Sophisticated Lady" – 3:04
  11. "Love's Away" – 3:19
  12. "Almost Like Being in Love" – 3:59 Originally issued on Tenor Saxes various artists compilation Norgran MGN 1034
  13. "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You" – 5:48 Originally released on Harry Carney with Strings
  14. "Take the "A" Train" – 4:48 Originally released on Harry Carney with Strings
  15. "We're in Love Again" – 3:41 Originally released on Harry Carney with Strings
  16. "Chalmeau" – 3:38 Originally released on Harry Carney with Strings
  17. "Moonlight on the Ganges" – 3:41 Originally released on Harry Carney with Strings
  18. "It Had to Be You" – 4:17 Originally released on Harry Carney with Strings
  19. "My Fantasy" – 4:08 Originally released on Harry Carney with Strings
  20. "I Got It Bad " – 4:22 Originally released on ''Harry Carney with Strings''

    Personnel

March 30, 1954, at Fine Sound, New York City: LP - A:4 & 5 and B:4 & 5, CD - 2:8 to 11
May 28, 1954, at Fine Sound, New York City: LP - A:1-3, CD - 1:1, 11-13, 17 & 18 and 2:12
  • Tony Scott – clarinet
  • Mac Ceppos, Richard Dickler, Milt Lomask, David Novales, Misha Edward Russell, Rudolph Sims
  • Billy Strayhorn – piano, arranger
  • George Duvivier – bass
  • Louis Bellson – drums
  • String section directed by Ralph Burns
  • *David Novales, Mac Ceppos, Mischa Russell – violin
  • *Richard Dickler – viola
  • *Rudolph Sims – cello
December 13, 1954, at Fine Sound, New York City: Harry Carney with Strings CD - 2:13-20
  • Harry Carney – baritone saxophone
  • Ray Nance – trumpet, violin
  • Tony Miranda – French horn
  • Jimmy Hamilton – clarinet, tenor banjo
  • Billy Bauer – guitar
  • Leroy Lovett – piano
  • Wendell Marshall – bass
  • Louie Bellson – drums
  • String section arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns
  • *Ben Gerrard, Eugene Orloff, Howard Kay, Isadore Zir, Mac Ceppos, Martin Donegan, Sylvan Shulman, Zelly Smirnoff – violin
  • *Alan Shulman, Doris Johnson, Sidney Edwards – cello
December 15, 1954, at Fine Sound, New York City: LP - B:1-3, CD - 1:2 & 14-16
  • Jimmy Hamilton – clarinet
  • Danny Bank – baritone saxophone
  • Teddy Wilson – piano
  • Wendell Marshall – bass
  • Louis Bellson – drums
  • String section arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns
  • *Jack Zayde, Julius Schachter, Leo Kruczek, Solomon Deutsch – violin
  • *Burt Fisch – viola
  • *Bernard Greenhouse – cello
February 3, 1955, at Fine Sound, New York City: CD:2:1-7
  • Teddy Wilson – piano
  • Unidentified orchestra
September 9, 1955, in New York City: CD - 1:3-10
  • Danny Bank – flute, clarinet
  • Al Epstein – clarinet, English horn, bass clarinet
  • Hank Jones – piano
  • Chet Amsterdam, Wendell Marshall – bass
  • Osie Johnson – drums
  • String section arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns
  • *Eugene Orloff, Harold Colletta, Harry Lookofsky, Leo Kruczek, Martin Donegan, Paul Winter, Tosha Samaroff – violin
  • *Burt Fisch – viola
  • *Abram Borodkin, George Ricci, Lucien Schmit – cello