Friday, December 25, 2009

Dexter GORDON – Go! 1962


Dexter GORDON – Go! 1962

Jazz

Just before heading off to a 15-year stay in Europe, the stately Dexter Gordon waxed a pair of records for Blue Note in August 1962: this classic and, two days later, A Swingin' Affair. It's been widely reported that Gordon himself considered Go! his greatest achievement, and (if so) it's easy to hear why. Brimming with conviction and poise, Gordon's gentle-giant sax carries itself with a sort of graceful edge that is difficult to emulate. He's always quick with a humorous quote, yet it always seems to fit just right. He's always languishing behind the beat, yet he never seems late. He possesses an enormous tone, yet he never overwhelms the songs or the listener. He sounds unhurried at any speed. His song selection is typically creative, holding little-known ballads close to his brawny chest like a big, cuddly bear. A stellar rhythm section of the elegantly funky pianist Sonny Clark plus Butch Warren and Billy Higgins doesn't hurt either.
By Marc Greilsamer.
**
Arguably the best of the uniformly excellent sides Gordon cut for Blue Note between 1961 and 1965. The master of bebop tenor saxophone stretches out on six cuts including his own classic "Cheese Cake" and a Latin-tinged version of Cole Porter's "Love for Sale." He also lends his huge tenor sound to gorgeous readings of the ballads "Where Are You" and "I Guess I'll Have to Hang My Tears Out to Dry." Gordon is ably assisted by a dream of a rhythm section featuring Sonny Clark on piano, Butch Warren on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. GO was recorded in New York just before Gordon began an extended European exile.
From CD Universe.
**
Dexter Gordon— Tenor Sax
Sonny Clark— Piano
Butch Warren— Bass
Billy Higgins— Drums
**
A1. Cheese Cake   6:32
A2. I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry   5:20
A3. Second Balcony Jump   7:04
B1. Love for Sale   7:35
B2. Where Are You?   5:18
B3. Three O'Clock in the Morning   5:43
**
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