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Review 1
Wow. This is one laid-back, head-noddin', finger-snappin' date - thank you, Smiling Billy! -- recorded at the end of one of Dex's US tours in 1965 before he headed back to home-town Copenhagen. His trio here consists of old friends? Barry Harris, Bob Cranshaw, and Billy Higgins. A welcome voice is Bobby Hutcherson's vibes, who adds his orchestral layer to any combo. They all sound relaxed and happy. Mellow ballads include a gentle "Who Can I Turn To" and a dreamy "Everybody's Somebody's Fool". The 1927-vintage "Heartaches" gets as sassy a medium backbeat head reading as any track on the entire original LP; Dex sings through his big horn with passion, Bobby chills on his arching, intelligent chorus, Barry grabs two and Dex is back for seconds before an out-chorus and vamping galore for all. Billy's kickin' backbeat makes Dexter think of "I Get A Kick Out of You." "Shiny Stockings" is another classic medium-tempo groover: they're really into this! "Manha de Carnaval" a big hit for Luis Bonfa and Stan Getz is taken at a slow, slinky bolero pace, with a solo even for the reluctant Cranshaw, and Billy adding rimshots on the out-chorus. Dex dedicates "Le Coiffeur" - a mincing, Champs-Elysees poodle-walker - to some hairdresser in Paris; breezy and gay, it recalls the theme from I Love Lucy! Even the two CD bonus tracks (same date, Gordon originals) go medium bop and slow blues. Clean, direct sound of two-track analog gives a bright, immediate presence to this cool and sophisticated date. Recommended for seduction purposes: the band doesn't work up a sweat, but you might!  |
Players
Bobby Hutcherson; Barry Harris; Bob Cranshaw; Billy Higgins |
Tracks
Manha De Carnival
Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
Heartaches
Shiny Stockings
Everybody's Somebody's Fool
Le Coiffeur
Very Saxily Yours - (CD only)
Flick Of A Trick - (CD only)
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