This recording of "Star Eyes" comes from The Doug Webb Quartet's 2014 album Sets the Standard. Written by Gene de Paul with lyrics by Don Raye for the 1943 film I Dood It, the song became a jazz standard through recordings by Charlie Parker and others, prized for its attractive melody and challenging harmonic structure. Webb takes two choruses on soprano saxophone over the 36-bar AABA form in E-flat at 173 BPM, demonstrating the agile, singing tone that characterizes his soprano work. His lines are long and flowing, weaving through the tune's complex changes with the ease of a player who has internalized the bebop vocabulary while developing a distinctly personal voice. Pianist Alan Broadbent matches Webb's two-chorus statement with his own pair of choruses at a slightly increased 181 BPM, building on the energy Webb established. Broadbent's solo showcases his remarkable harmonic imagination, finding fresh pathways through the chord progression while maintaining the melodic coherence that is the hallmark of his playing. The track exemplifies the quartet's approach to standard material: choosing tunes with strong melodic and harmonic foundations, then using them as springboards for creative improvisation. The balance between Webb's soprano and Broadbent's piano creates a rich textural dialogue that elevates the performance beyond a routine reading of a familiar tune.
