Dexter GORDON - Our Man in Paris 1963

Dexter GORDON - Our Man in Paris 1963

Jazz
 
One of the most successful of Blue Note's 'blue' period and an album that remains his finest work. Although his tenor sax occasionally grates, this is a brilliant example of late bebop. Supported by Bud Powell (piano), Kenny Clarke (drums) and Pierre Michelot (bass), the simple quartet sound coolly in control. 'Willow Weep For Me' is played with great beauty and 'A Night in Tunisia' is yet another well-crafted version.
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More than one previous review here points out that there is nothing experimental or 'avant-garde' to be found on this session. No kidding? Would you buy a Bentley and then bemoan the fact that it doesn't handle like a Ferrari? Do you subtract points from a Lester Young performance because he isn't playing like Coltrane? Gordon comes up with superlative renditions of of old warhorses here; doing this kind of thing better than anyone else at the time (1963). This was one of the very first jazz records I heard and the first sax playing I'd encountered strictly in the jazz idiom apart from what I'd heard on a few Monk recordings. As a jazz neophyte I had very little to compare it to so I had to rely purely on my gut reactions, listening without prejudice. This was really like getting a tsunami full in the face. A lot of the credit for that has to go to Kenny Clarke who really takes charge from the first bars of 'Scrapple From The Apple'. Gordon seems to want to blow the instrument apart, he crams so much into one tune, honking, pecking, playing across the bar lines, paying homage to 'Prez' and 'Bird' but with the pizazz that only a personality like Gordon can muster. Like Lester Young, Gordon really is a 'vocalist' on his instrument; the phrasing, note selection and structuring of a solo really exploit the emotional potential of every tune he plays. Listening to the joyous music making here should make it clear to anyone with ears that for a musician it's really about saying something and making emotional contact with your fellow players and the listener. Gordon, Clarke and Bud Powell do that in spades. Without doubt a totally satisfying listening experience.
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Dexter Gordon- (Tenor Sax)
Bud Powell- (Piano)
Pierre Michelot- (Bass)
Kenny Clarke- (Drums)
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A1. Scrapple From the Apple 7:21 
A2. Willow Weep for Me 8:48 
B1. Broadway 6:45 
B2. Stairway to the Stars 6:58 
B3. A Night in Tunesia 8:17
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