Dexter Gordon, Live in ’63 & ’64

by | Sep 12, 2007 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews | 0 comments

Dexter Gordon, Live in ’63 & ’64

Performers: Dexter Gordon, tenor sax; George Gruntz, Kenny Drew, piano; Guy Pederson, Gilbert Rovere, bass; Daniel Humair, Art Taylor, drums
Studio: Jazz Icons (Distr. by Naxos)  2119002
Video: 4:3 full screen, B&W
Audio: Dolby Digital mono
Extras: Ilustrated booklet
Length: 70 minutes
Rating: ****

Dexter Gordon left the United States in the early 1960s and relocated to
Copenhagen, Denmark. His move was due to his losing his vital cabaret card in
New York, due to drug arrests. He stayed in Europe for 14 years, primarily
being based out of Denmark, and recorded for Fantasy Records, as well as
Steeplechase. He made a triumphant return to New York in 1976 and played
back in the United States for another decade.

It was in Europe in the 60s that Gordon was at the peak of his powers. Just
turning 40 at the time of these concert performances, Gordon’s powerful yet
silky tone is unmistakable – especially on the ballads, such as What’s New,
You’ve Changed
, and most especially, Body and Soul, a classic ballad that
is noted for renditions by Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, and Gordon, all of
whom possessed muscular tone on the tenor. Gordon’s sidemen on this DVD were primarily European, with the exception of drummer Art Taylor, and another ex-pat American, the great pianist Kenny Drew.

The black and white video on this DVD is crystal clear with great contrast,
and the audio is more than passable. This DVD purchase is a great
opportunity to possess a video testament to prime Dexter Gordon, and a
chance to share in his European sojourn of the mid-1960s. [We can give thanks to all those sensible European TV stations who recognized these artists were worth preserving on film or tape – even when some of the material was never actually broadcast – whereas U.S. outlets totally ignored jazz…Ed.]

– Jeff Krow
 

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