Customer Reviews

Doin Allright

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being that I'm a huge Dexter Gordon fan, I was extremely happy last summer when I found out that Blue Note was adding three more of Dex's classics to the RVG series. This session happened to be the first one I picked up and it actually turns out to be my favorite of the three (the other two are "Dexter Calling" and "One Flight Up"). The present session is the first one Dexter ever did for Blue Note and still ranks up with his best. The personnel includes the then young but amazing Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Horace Parlan on piano, George Tucker on bass, Al Harewood on drums,and of course, LTD himself. Hubbard and Gordon compliment each other perfectly, which explains why they ended up working together again a few more times in the future. The ensemble treat Gershwin's "I Was Doing All Right" in a very laid-back, relaxing manner which really shows off every member for all their worth. Dex's rendition of "You've Changed" to me qualifies as one of the best ballad performances ever recorded. Hubbard and Parlan both have nice solos here but it is truly Dex's showcase and he certainly makes the most of it. "For Regulars Only" and "Society Red" are two compelling Dexter originals. From listening to these awesome tracks, it is easy to see why they are still played quite often today. "It's You or No One" is nothing short of a flagwaver and swings like there's no tomorrow. Dex liked this version so much that it became a standard part of his performance repitoire and can be heard also on his 1976 "Homecoming" disc. Like most RVG editions, "Doin' Allright" also comes with two great extra tracks. "I Want More", one of Dex's best compositions from both his performance in "The Connection" and from his classic "Dexter Calling", is now heard here. It truly is a great version and it is interesting to contrast it with the equally awesome "Dexter Calling" version. The other extra track is an alternate take of "For Regulars Only" which really does not sound that bad in comparison to the master take. "Doin' Allright" is a spectacular session on every front that should be owned by every serious jazz fan!

It's no mistake that one of Dexter Gordon's albums was titled, "The Panther!" Gordon was one of the most sure-footed tenor saxophonists ever, and his art was in constructing flawlessly confident, piledriving solos full of swagger and grace.

Gordon never tried to be anything but a practitioner of straight-ahead mainstream jazz, a consummate professional. His horn playing is note perfect and crisp as the starch on his collar. On this album, he has a perfect foil in the brash, young trumpeter Freddie Hubbard.

The album starts rolling with the suave "I Was Doing Allright", and hits its stride with the originals, "For Regulars Only", and "Society Red".

My first exposure to Gordon was seeing a replay of his performance at the Maintenance Shop in Ames, Iowa in 1979--a performance that is still available on tape. Gordon, I remember, would acknowledge applause at the end of a tune by grinning and waggling his sax back and forth on its harness. He was fully aware that he was the best.

I would give the album five stars, but for the fact that the relaxed feel at times is almost laconic. It's swing to unwind by, from a player who anticipated Rollins and Coltrane, but never joined them in their free flights.

After a brief absence, it is great to have "Doin' Allright" returned to the Blue Note catalog via the RVG series. The albums Dexter Gordon made for Blue Note in the 1960s revived his career, and I believe they are his greatest lasting achievement. "Doin' Allright" was Dex's first recording for Blue Note, recorded on May 6, 1961 during a stateside visit and just three days before "Dexter Calling" (see my review). This session is memorable for his frontline partnership with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, the magical rhythm support of the Horace Parlan Trio (Parlan on piano, George Tucker on bass and Al Harewood on drums), and two Gordon originals that would become legendary jazz numbers, "For Regulars Only" and "Society Red." In all, Dexter shows us even after an eight-year recording hiatus, he's still "Doin' Allright."

Though the wonderful Freddie Hubbard is on board, this album is all about Dexter Gordon and Horace Parlan. There is a cool, relaxed, even languid feel to it, but underneath the hip veneer there is an irrepressible feeling of joy. I believe this is due in part to Dexter himself, who was never afraid to toss in a few humerous quotes, or to trail happily at his own pace behind the beat, not to mention the man himself who could never be kept down, but I also think that a large part of the feel of this album is due to Horace Parlan. After all besides Dex and Freddie it is Horace and his trio that make up this group. Horace Parlan's was one of the great stories of jazz. A childhood bout with polio crippled his right hand but it couldn't cripple his spirit, infact it forced him to develope an individual voice on the piano. And while his unique and recognizable technique set him apart, it was his positive outlook and palpable joy in music that made his identity. It takes character to overcome adversity, but it takes spirit to thrive with wonder and to retain your love of life, and these were Parlan's gifts. In the sense that his music is always bathed in a happy tint, Parlan's music is somewhat like Horace Silver's, however he is closer to the individuality of Herbie Nichols than to the proto-funk of the other Horace. In any case "Doin' Allright" exhibits the jaunty, good-natured feel of Parlan's own albums (If you haven't heard it then do what it takes to obtain a copy of Parlan's masterpiece, "A Happy Frame of Mind"), but with the addition of the deep-throated romanticism of Dexter Gordon's tenor sax. Whatever words I use won't do justice to this vital, affirming music, so I'll just say if you're interested in listening to jazz that revels in the joy of living than this is for you.

one of the best jazz alb. i ever heard. I never wrote a review before, but when i read negitive review i was prompted to write. that ind. better take a liking to the classics. he might to better. (t overfield )

Doin' Alright is an extremely enjoyable, extremely accessible album, and one of Dexter's strongest outings overall. This specific recording, however is made special by Freddie Hubbard's appearance. Dexter's and Hubbard's styles feel great together, and it is a shame that they did not record together more frequently. Hubbard and Gordon can also be found together on Herbie Hancock's "Takin' Off" (a must have for jazz aficionados) and Gordon's "Tangerine."

All the tunes on this CD are solid. "I was doin' alright" is one of the most laid-back, yet hard swinging recordings in my collection, "You've Changed" is one of Dexter's most beautiful ballad performances, "It's You or no One" is a tune Dexter frequently played, but this specific recording (in my opinion) is the best example of it. Society Red is another enjoyable tune, with a fantastic trumpet solo by Hubbard.

All in all, Doin' Alright is a very strong outing by all the musicians. One of Dexter's (and Blue Note's, and Freddie Hubbard's, for that matter) albums, buy this album, and you will be Doin' Alright.

I just bought a 70's Blue Note LP of this album, and it is superb. I've only had it a bit over a week now and have listened to it least half a dozen times in that time. I can only echo what everyone else has said...this album is a must-have for any jazz aficionado. Absolutely wonderful. Jazz doesn't get any better than this...

Great material from one of the most influential saxophonists ever. Typical stuff from the legend of the "tender" sax....Dig it!

"Doin' Allright" is a classic album by saxophonist Dexter Gordon. His big, round, warm tone shines through beautifully on this recording. Anyone interested in Dexter Gordon should buy this today. He once again surrounds himself with some remarkable musicians: Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Horace Parlan on piano, George Tucker on bass, and Al Harewood on drums. "It's You Or No One Else" is worth the price of the whole album. This is yet another swinging Gordon affair. Highly recommended.

In the context of his best (and later work), even with a young Freddie Hubbard, this is an uninspiring rendition of the musical giant that Dexter is. I am a lover of and collector of his music, and this one goes to the bottom of the heap.

I read the lavish reviews of others and then listened to the CD again in order to make sure I was not missing something. I wasn't: This CD is a plain vanilla version of the Dexter Gordon I know. Gordon is a "heavyweight." But here he is obviously "coasting" through an obligatory recording session. And the music "tells."

Gordon purist, save your money. Two stars.