Dexter Gordon: Our Man In Paris-1986 Blue Note DMM Reissue Stereo 12" Record

$

24

1986 Direct Metal Mastering Stereo Reissue of Classic 1963 Blues Note Release of Bandleader/Composer/Tenor Saxophone Master Dexter Gordon Entitled Our Man in Paris, Produced by Francis Wolff, Recording by Claude Ermelin, Cover Design by Reid Miles, Originally Recorded on May 23 in 1963 - "As one of the great tenors to emerge from Los Angeles' Central Avenue scene, Dexter Gordon led a colorful and eventful, sometimes tragic life that included three triumphant comebacks in a four-plus-decade career. As a beloved, influential member of the bebop generation, his story (and Bud Powell's) inspired French director Bertrand Tavernier to tell a portion of it in the 1986 drama Round Midnight and to cast him in a lead role. Gordon was the top tenor saxophonist during the bop era and possessed his own distinctive sound, he created a large body of superior work and could successfully battle nearly anyone at a jam session. His years as a leader and co-leader at Dial, Savoy, and Blue Note were enough to make him a legend. Living in Europe for more than a dozen years, he recorded equally fine albums for Prestige, Steeplechase, and other labels, and his return to the U.S. resulted in several releases for Columbia and Blue Note. Gordon was born to renowned parents in Los Angeles in 1923. His father, Dr. Frank Gordon, was among the first Black doctors in the city after graduating from Howard Medical School in Washington, D.C. in 1918. (His patients included Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton.) His mother, Gwendolyn Baker, was the daughter of Captain Edward Baker, one of the five Black Medal of Honor recipients during the Spanish–American War. Gordon began playing clarinet at age 13 and switched to saxophone two years later. While at school, he played in bands with Chico Hamilton and Buddy Collette. His first important gig was with Lionel Hampton (1940 to 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, where he was hired for 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 jail time and periods of inactivity during the rest of the '50s (although Gordon did record two albums in 1955). By 1960, he had recovered sufficiently to cut a core series of dates for Blue Note including Doin' Alright, Dexter Calling, Swingin' Affair and Go). After re-establishing his reputation, he moved to Europe in 1962 and remained there until 1976. While on the continent, he was in peak form -- Gordon's many SteepleChase recordings rank with the finest work of his career and include four dates with altoist Jackie McLean. Gordon returned to the U.S. on an occasional basis, recording in 1965, 1969 and 1970, and 1972, but by then he was almost forgotten in the U.S. although he remained a major attraction in Europe. Given this status, it proved an odd yet welcome surprise that his return to America in 1976 was treated as a major media event, illustrated by the double-live Homecoming LP from his American tour, and the studio date Sophisticated Giant in 1977. A great deal of interest was suddenly given the living legend, with long lines of people waiting at clubs to see him. In 1978, appearing with Johnny Griffin, he sold out Carnegie Hall. Gordon remained a popular figure until his gradually worsening health made him only semi-active by the early '80s. His third comeback occurred when he was picked to star in the motion picture 'Round Midnight. Gordon's acting was quite realistic and touching. He was nominated for an Academy Award four years before his death. In the 21st century, several important live finds have been issued, including the Dutch Archives' In the Cave: Live at Persepolis, Utrecht, 1963, Rhino's vinyl-only Live at the Playboy Jazz Festival, and Elemental's At the Subway Club 1973." - "This 1963 date is titled for Dexter Gordon's living in self-imposed Parisian exile and recording there with two other exptriates and a French native. Along with Gordon, pianist Bud Powell and Kenny "Klook" Clarke were living in the City of Lights and were joined by the brilliant French bassman Pierre Michelot. This is a freewheeling bop date with the band working out on such categoric standards as "Scrapple from the Apple," and "A Night in Tunisia." In addition, American vernacular tunes such as "Willow Weep for Me" and "Stairway to the Stars" are included. Gordon is at the very top of his game here. His playing is crisp, tight, and full of playful fury. Powell, who at this stage of his life was almost continually plagued by personal problems, never sounded better than he does in this session. His playing is a tad more laid-back here, but is nonetheless full of the brilliant harmonic asides and incendiary single-note runs he is legendary for. The rhythm section is close-knit and stop-on-a-dime accurate." - Sensational Personnel for the Quartet Features Legendary Composer Dexter Gordon on Tenor Saxophone, the Great Bud Powell on Piano, the Talented Pierre Michelot on Bass and the Amazing Kenny Clarke on Drums! - Selections on Side 1 Are the Charlie Parker Standard Scrapple from the Apple & the Ann Ronell Penned Willow Weep for Me at 8 Minutes 47 Seconds - Tracks for Side 2 Consist of the Billy Bird/Teddy McRae/Henry J. Wood Classic Broadway, the Matty Malneck/Mitchell Parish/Frank Signorelli Standard Stairway to the Stars and the Dizzy Gillespie/Frank Paparelli Song a Night in Tunisia at 8 Minutes 15 Seconds - Used Copy, Cover Near Mint, Record Very Good++ - Stereo Recording, Product Code BST 84146 - California Residents Add 9.75% Sales Tax - International S & H Extra -