Dexter Gordon Gettin' Around CD

After two Blue Note LPs recorded in Europe (his adopted home since 1962), Gordon finally made it back to the States to record this mid-Sixties release. Curiously, the two previously unreleased tunes seem slightly out of place with the rest of the record, and feel more akin to the kind of work Gordon's labelmates were releasing at the time. "Flick of a Trick" is a sultry, walking eight-bar blues, while "Very Saxily Yours," distinguishes itself from the standards here by virtue of its riffing melody and use of hits during the head.

Having said that, part of the appeal of Gordon's approach is the way this album is built from standards. There's a sense of getting down to basics, from the passion and depths that can come out in a ballad to the sheer joy of swinging hard on the uptempo tunes. "Le Coiffeur" now sounds a little dated (like the theme from a lost Sixties sitcom), but there's something charming about that, as there is about the loping exuberance of "Shiny Stockings" and the presence of "Manha de Carnaval," a recent movie theme at the time.

Dexter Gordon meets up with vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, pianist Barry Harris, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Billy Higgins on this excellent hard bop date. Recorded during one of the great tenor's infrequent U.S. visits (he had moved to Europe in 1962), Gordon is in excellent form on six diverse selections that range from "Manha de Carnaval" and "Shiny Stockings" to "Heartaches" and Gordon's original "Le Coiffeur." Although underrated during this era due to his residence in Europe, Gordon was at the peak of his powers throughout this period; all of his Blue Note releases are easily recommended. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on May 28 & 29, 1965. Includes liner notes by Ira Gitler.

Personnel: Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone); Dexter Gordon; Bob Cranshaw (upright bass); Barry Harris (piano); Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone); Billy Higgins (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Rudy Van Gelder.

Liner Note Author: Bob Blumenthal.

Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (05/28/1965-05/29/1965).

Personnel: Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone); Bobby Hutcherson (vibraphone); Barry Harris (piano); Bob Cranshaw (bass); Billy Higgins (drums).

Producer: Alfred Lion.

Mojo (Publisher) (p.129) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "An excellent ballad'n'bop offering....Easy-swingin' and soulful."