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Review 1
This compilation sets and holds a dusky mood, as does Herman Leonard’s black-and-white photo of Dex taking a break in the studio, his pork pie hat eased back, wreathed in smoke, contemplative. Two abiding images of Dexter live come across in the mind’s eye while listening to this evocative set: his husky, unhurried recitation of ballad lyrics before he plays them, and, after each piece, his lifting of his horizontal saxophone in both hands as a humble offering to the audience for their applause. There are three quintet performances: “Darn That Dream” with a nominal Donald Byrd, and “I’m A Fool To Want You” and “You’ve Changed” with Freddie Hubbard feeling out complementary choruses. The other five tracks feature Dex atop trios: “Don’t Explain” and “Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry” with Sonny Clark, Butch Warren and Billy Higgins; “Ernie’s Tune” with Kenny Drew, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. “Body And Soul” – with George Cables, Rufus Reid, and Eddie Gladden – dates from 1978, a full 14 years after the last of the other ballads, and is one of Dex’s full-length, full-throttle quasi-modal outings. Memorably mournful without slipping into the morose.  |
Players
Donald Byrd : Trumpet
George Cables : Piano
Paul Chambers : Bass
Sonny Clark : Piano
Kenny Clarke : Drums
Bob Cranshaw : Bass
Kenny Drew : Piano
Eddie Gladden : Drums
Dexter Gordon : Sax (Tenor)
Al Harewood : Drums
Barry Harris : Piano
Billy Higgins : Drums
Freddie Hubbard : Trumpet
Philly Joe Jones : Drums
Pierre Michelot : Bass
Horace Parlan : Piano
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen : Bass
Bud Powell : Piano
Rufus Reid : Bass
Art Taylor : Drums
George Tucker : Bass
Butch Warren : Bass |
Tracks
1. Darn That Dream
2. Don't Explain
3. I'm A Fool To Want You
4. Ernie's Tune
5. You've Changed
6. Willow Weep For Me
7. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
8. Body And Soul - (live) |
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