Customer Reviews

Dexter Calling

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

 

 

This is without a doubt Dexter Gordon's best album that I know of. The variety of tempos and material is great and there is a wide variety of it. Modal Mood is my favorite song and Dex gets into some heavy and outrageous improvisations. The four and eight bar breaks between Dex and Philly are great. I'm only 12 and only have been listening to jazz for a while, but I have over a 100 bop cd's and can tell the differences between a good blowin' session and a drag. This cd swings and so does the sidemen on it. Dex's sound is low-toned and fufilling. This is the best album I've herd in years. It's definetly wearth buying no matter what's on the price tag. It deserves, with out a doubt, five stars.

The albums Dexter Gordon made for Blue Note in the 60s revived his career, and I believe they are his greatest lasting achievement. Since Dex had left the U.S. for Europe, he made his first four Blue Note albums in pairs during trips stateside. "Dexter Calling" and "Doin' Alright" were recorded days apart using different lineups, but getting the same excellent results, with the former only slightly behind in terms of overall quality. From the opening smooth bars of "Soul Sister," the band of Kenny Drew, Paul Chambers and Phily Joe Jones backs Dex with power and finesse. This rhythm trio knew how to treat a great tenor player -- they were responsible for backing 'Trane on "Blue Train." My personal favorite song from the album is "Ernie's Tune," a lovely ballad that alternates between passion and tension for striking results. In conclusion, when Dexter's calling we should all come over.

A friend turned me on to this recording. I have "Go" and "Our Man in Paris," but "Dexter Calling" is the one I listen to most often. The music is positive, warm, and relaxing. Many, many pleasant melodies. Recorded in May, 1961, the band includes Kenny Drew, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones. I'm especially impressed by the piano work but the whole band shines. Does anyone make music like this anymore? As the young reviewer says, this is a blowin' session. And it swings.

I don't think that this is the only Dexter Gordon album that anyone would need... "Go!" is quite good too...