Dexter Gordon: One Flight Up-1985 Blue Note Direct MM Reissue Stereo 12" Record

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1985 Manhattan Direct Metal Mastering Stereo Reissue of Classic 1964 Blue Note Release by Bandleader/Tenor Saxophone Master Dexter Gordon Entitled One Flight Up, Produced by Alfred Lion, Recording by Jacques Lubin - "Dexter Gordon had such a colorful and eventful life (with three separate comebacks) that his story would make a great Hollywood movie. The top tenor saxophonist to emerge during the bop era and possessor of his own distinctive sound, Gordon sometimes was long-winded and quoted excessively from other songs, but he created a large body of superior work and could battle nearly anyone successfully at a jam session. His first important gig was with Lionel Hampton (1940-1943) although, due to Illinois Jacquet also being in the sax section, Gordon did not get any solos. In 1943, he did get to stretch out on a recording session with Nat "King" Cole. Short stints with Lee Young, the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, and Louis Armstrong's big band preceded his move to New York in December 1944 and becoming part of Billy Eckstine's Orchestra, trading off with Gene Ammons on Eckstine's recording of "Blowin' the Blues Away." Gordon recorded with Dizzy Gillespie ("Blue 'N' Boogie") and as a leader for Savoy before returning to Los Angeles in the summer of 1946. He was a major part of the Central Avenue scene, trading off with Wardell Gray and Teddy Edwards in many legendary tenor battles; studio recordings of "The Chase" and "The Duel" helped to document the atmosphere of the period. After 1952, drug problems resulted in some jail time and periods of inactivity during the 1950s (although Gordon did record two albums in 1955). By 1960, he was recovered and soon he was recording a consistently rewarding series of dates for Blue Note. Just when he was regaining his former popularity, in 1962 Gordon moved to Europe where he would stay until 1976. While on the continent, he was in peak form and Gordon's many SteepleChase recordings rank with the finest work of his career. Gordon did return to the U.S. on an occasional basis, recording in 1965, 1969-1970, and 1972, but he was to an extent forgotten in his native land. It was therefore a major surprise that his return in 1976 was treated as a major media event. A great deal of interest was suddenly shown in the living legend with long lines of people waiting at clubs in order to see him. Gordon was signed to Columbia and remained a popular figure until his gradually worsening health made him semi-active by the early '80s. His third comeback occurred when he was picked to star in the motion picture 'Round Midnight and, even if his playing by then was past its prime, Gordon's acting was quite realistic and touching. He was nominated for an Academy Award, four years before his death after a very full life. Most of Dexter Gordon's recordings for Savoy, Dial, Bethlehem, Dootone, Jazzland, Blue Note, SteepleChase, Black Lion, Prestige, Columbia, Who's Who, Chiaroscuro, and Elektra Musician are currently available." - "Tenor-great Dexter Gordon and trumpeter Donald Byrd make for an excellent team on this 1964 hard bop quintet date with pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels Pedersen (then only 18) and drummer Art Taylor. The Blue Note album only contains three selections: an 18-minute rendition of Byrd's "Tanya," Drew's minor-toned "Coppin' the Haven" and a quartet version of "Darn That Dream" that finds Gordon in lyrical form." - Monumental Personnel for the Quintet Features Legendary Composer Dexter Gordon on Tenor Sax, the Great Donald Byrd on Trumpet, the Talented Kenny Drew on Piano, the Brilliant Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen on Bass and Art Taylor on Drums! - Solitary Selections on Side One Is Donald Byrd's Tanya at 18 Minutes 18 Seconds - Tracks for Side Two Are Kenny Drew's Coppin' the Haven at 11 Minutes 18 Seconds & the Eddie DeLange/Jimmy Van Heusen Standard Darn that Dream - Used Copy, Cover Very Good++, Record Very Good++ - BLUE NOTE CADRE ROUGE AUDIOPHILE EDITION DIRECT METAL MASTERING ALBUM, Stereo Recording, Product Code BST 84176 - California Residents Add 9.75% Sales Tax - International S & H Extra -