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Dexter Gordon : Ballads
Label: Blue Note B2-96579
Year: 1964-1978
Released : 1991
Format : [email protected] 320
Along with Gene Ammons and Stanley Turrentine, Dexter Gordon was one of the top ballad players of the '60s. Having already made his name in the bebop era and as an expatriate in Europe, Gordon returned to the States to record a series of fine Blue Note discs during the first half of the decade. This edition of the label's Ballads series features Gordon at his peak and in the company of some of hard bop's best players. Whether melding nicely with trumpeter Donald Byrd from a Paris date in 1964 ("Darn That Dream") or locking in with the stellar rhythm section of Sonny Clark, Butch Warren, and Billy Higgins ("Don't Explain"), Gordon delivers his almost sleepy and smoke-filled solos with regal grace. The same can also be said of the rest of this incredible program, including a latter-day live cut from 1978. A perfect set for those in need of a provocative after-hours session in front of the stereo.
Tracklist:
1. Darn That Dream
Donald Byrd (trumpet -1,2) Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone) Kenny Drew (piano) Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen (bass) Art Taylor (drums) Frank Wolff (producer)
Barclay Studios, Paris, France, June 2, 1964
2. Don't Explain
Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone) Sonny Clark (piano) Butch Warren (bass) Billy Higgins (drums)
Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, August 29, 1962
3. I'm A Fool To Want You
Freddie Hubbard (trumpet ) Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone) Barry Harris (piano) Bob Cranshaw (bass ) Ben Tucker (bass ) Billy Higgins (drums)
Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 27, 1965
4. Ernie's Tune
Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone) Kenny Drew (piano) Paul Chambers (bass) Philly Joe Jones (drums)
Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 9, 1961
5. You've Changed
Freddie Hubbard (trumpet) Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone) Horace Parlan (piano) George Tucker (bass) Al Harewood (drums)
Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 6, 1961
6. Willow Weep For Me
Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone) Bud Powell (piano) Pierre Michelot (bass) Kenny Clarke (drums) Francis Wolff (producer)
CBS Studios, Paris, France, May 23, 1963
7. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone) Sonny Clark (piano) Butch Warren (bass) Billy Higgins (drums)
Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, August 27, 1962
8. Body And Soul - (live)
Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone) George Cables (piano) Rufus Reid (bass) Eddie Gladden (drums)
"Keystone Korner", San Francisco, CA, May 13, 1978[/size]
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