70s Dexter Gordon

[montg]

I've been really enjoying the Carnegie Hall (Sony) recording Dexter Gordon made in 1978. cduniverse link

It's more than his playing-it's his humanity, or something, that comes through so warmly on that date. I'd really like to get some more late period Dexter..there's obviously a lot out there so any opinions about studio sessions or good- sounding live dates would be helpful in allowing me to navigate the thicket. I'm sure most of his late period stuff is excellent, but are some places better to start than others? (I know there's a monster Dexter thread on this board somewhere, but, as I remember, it's not dedicated to recs. per se). Thanks in advance.

[BFrank]

"Homecoming" is a late-period classic that announced Dexter's return to the American jazz scene. It's a high-energy live recording from the Village Vanguard in December 1976. With Woody Shaw, Ronnie Matthews, Stafford James and Louis Hayes, it's a must-have.

Edited May 20, 2006 by BFrank

[HolyStitt]

  BFrank said:

"Homecoming" is a late-period classic that announced Dexter's return to the American jazz scene. It's a high-energy live recording from the Village Vanguard in December 1976. With Woody Shaw, Ronnie Matthews, Stafford James and Louis Hayes, it's a must-have.

I second this one and would like to recommend Manhattan Symphonie.

[allblues]

I would add Sophisticated Giant with Woody Shaw and slightly earlier in the 70s, some of the Steeplechase releases. There were a lot of good ones, but I'm partial to the pianoless Something Different, with Philip Catherine on guitar.

[ghost of miles]

I love almost all of the 1970s Dexter that I heard; in addition to the recs above, try the Mosaic Select. Great band, that, with George Cables on piano; some of my favorite Dex, period.

[DukeCity]

Back in '78 I was still in high school, and as a member of the Columbia House Record Club, Dexter's "Great Encounters" was sent to me as the jazz selection of the month. It had two cuts from that Carnegie Hall date, and was my introduction to Dexter (and Johnny Griffin), so I have frond memories of many spins of that LP. I need to grab a copy of that Carnegie CD.

[Kyo]

  DukeCity said:

Back in '78 I was still in high school, and as a member of the Columbia House Record Club, Dexter's "Great Encounters" was sent to me as the jazz selection of the month. It had two cuts from that Carnegie Hall date, and was my introduction to Dexter (and Johnny Griffin), so I have frond memories of many spins of that LP. I need to grab a copy of that Carnegie CD.

You should definitely grab the Mosaic Select set that has three CDs of

the same group (minus the Johnny Griffin guest appearance) at

Keystone Korner in 1977 (I think). Excellent stuff.

[Hot Ptah]

"Stable Mable" on Steeplechase is a particularly strong album, in my opinion.

[sal]

  ghost of miles said:

I love almost all of the 1970s Dexter that I heard; in addition to the recs above, try the Mosaic Select. Great band, that, with George Cables on piano; some of my favorite Dex, period.

[Chuck Nessa]

I suggest working backwards through the SteepleChase studio albums and the Swiss Nights series. I prefer these to the subsequent releases.

[BFrank]

Of the Steeplechase, I like "Bouncing with Dex" and "The Apartment" a lot.

[EKE BBB]

I love each and every disc included here:

[Clunky]

  BFrank said:

Of the Steeplechase, I like "Bouncing with Dex" and "The Apartment" a lot.

I was a little underwhelmed by "The Apartment" but I love the encounter with the Griff on the Carnegie HAll disc. I know its eighties but avoid the Round Midnight soundtrack , it's not very good IMO.

[shaft]

Yeah, Dexter was cool

I guess you all have seen (and listened to) the movie "Round Midnight" with Dexter acting and playing sax in the lead role. Most jazz-lovers have seen it of course, but we may have some visitors here that have not

/Shaft

[brownie]

That Dexter Gordon SteepleChase box is one of those must have sets! With a very high and very consistent level of playing by Dexter.

I'll second the listing of the Nights at the Keystone music that was gathered on the Mosaic Select.

And add the Xanadu jams that came out as 'True Blue' and 'Silver Blue' that had Dexter pairing with Al Cohn, while Blue Mitchell paired with Sam Noto.

[Brad]

True Blue is a fantastic album, one of my great purchases. I like the SteepleChase box but in parts. Not mentioned but also a great cd is A Day in Copenhagen with Slide Hampton. Well worth it if you can find it.

[paul secor]

Have to confess that I'm not much of a Dexter Gordon fan - for whatever reasons, most of his playing just has never gotten through to me. Perhaps I have more listening to do, and perhaps not. That said, I have always enjoyed his playing (and spoken introduction) on "Polka Dots and Moonbeams on Philly Joe's 1977 Philly Mignon album.

[Jim R]

  Brad said:

Not mentioned but also a great cd is A Day in Copenhagen with Slide Hampton. Well worth it if you can find it.

Not mentioned because it dates from 1969.

I'm with Chuck and BFrank. SWISS NIGHTS is insanely good Dexter, and pretty much the whole Steeplechase catalog is worth getting if you're a DG fan.

I know it's not his greatest work, but I'm actually pretty fond of the ROUND MIDNIGHT and THE OTHER SIDE OF ROUND MIDNIGHT. It has its own vibe, its own beauty... kind of a poignancy to it, imo. My favorite track is "Tivoli", with Dexter on soprano (it cuts off too short, unfortunately).