Customer Reviews

Ballads: Dexter Gordon

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am an avid jazz fan, and am in the jazz business. I have also had thousands of jazz albums and CDs in my time. And, well this one rates as one of the best albums in jazz history. This is a collection, though, and all the music can be found on other albums, but I must admit it is a fabulous collection. Another album that is a must have is Dexters album "Lullaby for a Monster" if you don't have it, get it. It is pure genous, Dex at his very best. His compositions are creative and his improv is the best I've ever heard. It is so good it is hard to tell where the tune ends and the improv begins. Other killer Dex CDs to check out are: Biting the apple, Something Different, Clubhouse, and Come Rain or Come Shine. Another classic tenor album in this style is Soul Station by Hank Mobley. Sorry for all the recomendations, but its taken me a lot of listening to come to these conclusions and just wanted to pass along my opinion.

The famous photograph on the album cover hung in my room when I was a teenager, before I had developed any real appreciation for jazz. I liked the feel of the photo, dex so cool in his suit and hat and horn and blowing out smoke like he was just the coolest cat in the world. I think the photo was so cool that it made me start smoking - or maybe that was my older brother. In any case, I just wanted to add these five stars to all of the others and, you never know, maybe this will tip the scale towards somebody seeking out this great work. Dex really was a cool cat, and it is gratifying to know that he returned to the US while he could still play high-quality music. His exile also serves to remind americans of the debt that we owe to European audiences (esp. the French - as tough as it is to thank them) for sticking with Jazz in the early 70's when americans were fleeing to mass produced music and the orgiastic pagan rituals of stadium rock. I liked very much the review from salt lake city with its explanations of spacing and the essential romantic quality of jazz ballads. Jazz wasn't meant to be rocket science (though it's great when it is) it is just meant to swing.

5 stars just ain't enuf!*************************AND THEN SOME i received this cd on wednesday march 7 2001, and have listened to it almost every waking hour since. like moe snodgrass, my exposure to dexter gordon was via 'round midnight. i purchased the soundtrack listened to him, but never really appreicated his talent. that is till now! listen when you're alone. listen when with ........whoever! just kick back and listen. as this generation would say, ' it's da bomb!'

This is by far, the most wonderful album recorded by any saxphonist great in time. Dexter Gordon certainly had an eye to his best performance in the choices of cuts to meet the sinfully moving, slurring and sassy, very senuous slow motion where he absolutely spectacular. He specializes in slow and drawing the music from below. This album is not for the faint-hearted. I imagine that he has closed those eyes of his and saw heaven through pursed lips, knowing that such a place must be a divine gift.

He is there, with you beckoning you to come hither. He reaches so far down that it just resonates in your toes. This is my 7th purchase of the CD. I give to people who I love and never fall asleep with out it.

I go a little ways back and, having come of age in Philadelphia, I had seen many of the old jazz masters in Philly and New York. But somehow I missed Dexter Gordon completely. My first exposure to him was the film "Round Midnight" and although the film was good, the music did not impress.

It's often said that Europeans appreciate Jazz more enthusiastically than Americans but that's what it took for me to discover Dexter Gordon for myself. During a year in Milan I met a woman who was experienced in and Jazz and romance and, to make a long story short, I developed an appreciation for candlelight, Italian wine and Dex, all in the nicest possible way. But that's what these ballads are about. Romance -- and space.

Jazz ballads are very "open," just a few instruments playing. They're so open, in fact, that you actually develop an appreciation for the space that exists between the notes. It becomes a part equal to "the music." I regret that younger people might never experience it.

There is nothing more beautiful and open sounding than a trio-rhythm section of Grand piano, acoustic bass (played pizzicato) and drums (played with brushes and sizzle cymbal). To hear that beautiful, open, trio sound epitomized, look to Bill Evans ("Sunday at the Village Vanguard"). To hear that sound with a horn added, pick ballads by any of the old masters, Miles Davis, John Coltrane - it doesn't matter. The ballads are mostly all good -- just as long as they're ballads. By now I've picked through many of them. Even though I arrived at Dexter Gordon late (and even if I have to struggle to put my memories of Milan aside), I recommend the ballads on this CD as a very, very good place to start.

Dexter's playing has always merged a strong swing feel with long fluid lines built on a harmonically rich foundation. His robust tone has both the quality of a honking bluesman and the warmest romantic. On this recording his darker, pensive, and lyrical side are out front. 8 Tracks Great!

This album features Dexter at his best. This is a must-have title not only for the music, but for the cover! Can it possibly get any better than his versions of "Body and Soul" and "Willow Weep for Me"? Ballads features Dexter, Donald Byrd, Freddy Hubbard, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, Bud Powell, and a host of others all in topform. Don't hesitate, buy this CD; infact, buy it, Tower of Power, and the boxset! You can't go wrong with Dexter!

Wow, what can i say this is a beutiful collection of songs from the sax genius dexter gordon. THis is good music to listen to while u r doing somethin relaxing.

Im not one of those hard-core jazz people so i wont go into all the intricate details that those people use when reviewing jazz albums. Instead, im going to say, get this cd its a very goood album.

All I can say is that these pieces have left me breathless! Experience this collection yourself!

Some of these songs evoke very deep emotion for me personally, they are written so well. They are very relaxing and mellow, which is my style.