Lester Young – Verve Jazz Masters 30

Give Verve Jazz Masters 30 a spin and it becomes clear how Lester Young was the master of ballad playing. On the slow-burning “I’m Confessin’,” Young made his tenor sax sang like an emotional human voice. On the up-swinging “All Of Me,” he flourished like wild flower in the spring. The classic “Love Me or Leave Me” still gets me every time. Young had such a sensual tone that one must hears it to appreciate it. This collection has been played constantly in my car, home and work for the past week.