Customer Reviews

Body & Soul

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Dexter Gordon's career was long and illustrious. He recorded for many labels and the record industry, in its infinite greed, often creates confusion by re-issuing different albums with the same title. Amazon.com has compounded the confusion by posting reviews of Gordon's album, Body and Soul (Black Lion label, recorded 1967) with two other LPs of the same title which were recorded at different times and with different musicians. To make matters worse, when you look on Amazon's link providing alternate formats, you will find all three of the albums listed together. Anyone searching for a specific recording might inadvertantly buy the wrong CD. This is inexcusable on Amazon's part.
To clear things up: There are three separate CDs that have been issued under the title, Body and Soul. The first, and oldest, is performances from the Jazz Club Montmartre in Copenhagen, Denmark, and recorded in the summer of 1967, with LTD, Kenny Drew (p), Nils-Henning Orsted Pedersen (b), and Al Heath (d). Black Lion issued this record and two companion albums (Both Sides of Midnight and Take the 'A' Train). Together, the three give a great idea of what three sets of Dexter and this band could do. The music is at the highest level, as all the musicians push each other. Wish I had been there.
The second CD to appear under the title, Body and Soul, is the rarest album in Gordon's discography, which lists it as a live date from San Diego in 1971 (the date is questionable). It was issued in 1990 for the ARCO label (ARC 109), and has contributions from the same musicians with whom Gordon recorded Manhattan Symphonie (Columbia) and the wonderful, Live at Keystone dates for Blue Note. The jazzmen are Rufus Reid (b), Eddie Gladden (d), and George Cables (p). This quartet cooked. Find the CD, if you can, but I doubt you will. It's not readily available, but it is fabulous jazz.
The third and last CD under the title, Body and Soul (on Setco and reissued in 2010), is nothing but a repackaging of the album, Dexter Gordon, featuring Joe Newman, which was originally issued on the Monad label in 1995. These recordings were made in Chicago in the fall of 1976, and soon after Gordon's permanent return to the USA from his time in Europe. Newman was, of course, a gifted trumpeter in Count Basie's band for years. For some reason, this date is not listed in Gordon's discography, but the performances are definitely by him and Newman.
All three of the above albums are spectacular jazz and worthy of your collection.

I can't believe no one has reviewed this essential recording from Dexter Gordon. Other than "Go", I cannot find a more swinging, inspired set by Long Tall Dexter than this one. It was recorded live at the Montmartre club in Denmark in July 1967 when Dexter was at his best. These tunes last from 10 to 14 minutes, letting Dexter stretch out to his hearts' content.
The rhythm section is perfect: Kenny Drew, piano, who left the US to find acceptance playing jazz in Europe. The bassist is only 20 years old, and not from the US. He is the best bass player Europe has produced:Neils-Henning Orsted Pederson. The drummer also repatriated to Europe for a couple of years, and became the first call drummer over there :Albert "Tootie" Heath. No wonder Dexter could stretch out on these tunes. With this rhythm section, he could do no wrong.
It is important to note that this is one of three recordings from this legendary night. The others are entitled "Both Sides of Midnight" and "Take the A Train." Get these other recordings, and you can hold a memorable marathon listening session. Or get the box set including all 3 of these great sessions. It is entitled "Live at the Montmartre Jazzhaus."
By the way, I saw another Dexter Gordon CD on Amazon titled "Body and Soul", but it had a different tune selection, so it is not this CD. It may be perfectly good jazz, but don't mistake it for the Montmartre classic session.

Once again, Dexter never ceases to amaze. I remember when I first became aware of "There Will Never Be Another You" at a local jazz club. I immediately said to myself, "I bet Dexter would tear this tune up!" Since then I have listened to many versions of the tune and nobody, in my estimation even comes close to Dexter's rendition of this standard. This tune alone is worth the price of admission. And the title tune? Priceless!

If you like his most famous album Go, youll like this. Also, the bass player on in it (Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen?)has some great solos on it.