Released in 1961 for Reprise, this was the label's first release by an artist other than Frank Sinatra. "The veteran tenor Ben Webster had a very warm tone on ballads that contrasted with the aggressive biting sound he used on faster material. For this 1960 set Webster is joined by a string quartet (arranged by Johnny Richards) and a rhythm section for his melodic interpretations of a dozen standards. Even when simply stating the melody, Webster brings out unexpected beauty in the songs. His tone has never been accurately duplicated and is the main reason to pick up this ...reissue." - allmusic.com "Actually I am not big fan of jazz mixing with strings - it seems to have a muzaky feeling to it. But.... this album is so well done, Webster's playing is so amazing, that there is no way anyone could call this muzak. The sound is excellent. It was recorded at Radio Recorders - a great sound studio that was very popular in Hollywood in the 50s. The strings are extremely lush and Webster sounds as if he is in the room with you. One additional note - Webster's signature breathy sound is much less breathy than in later albums. Not better, not worse - just a different sound than I am used to hearing. I highly suggest this LP to any Webster fan and anyone looking for a big fat mellow sound." - By T. Butler on August 7, 2004 "I grew up on late 70s and early 80s r&b and soul music and then aggressively got into hip-hop. Hip hop music was the music that began to expose me to the jazz classics that seldomly became sampled in the art form. I'm grateful for that and I have been an avid collector of jazz music for 15 years now. I buy music randomly and at the spur of the moment and from many artists I have never heard of...so yes, do own a whole lot of musical garbage! but sometimes I get lucky...like this album here. This was my first Ben Webster album (of which I now own five) and this one still remains my favorite. This is music for a grown spirit...it is indeed warm and quiet and lush. Buy this as soon as possible, you'll enjoy it." - By R. Davis on May 1, 2001 Ben Webster, tenor saxophone Armond Kaproff, cello Cecil Figelski, viola Alfred Lustgarten, violin Lisa Minghetti, violin Don Bagley, double bass Donn Trenner, piano Frank Capp, drums