Dexter Gordon - Blows Hot & Cool
ARTIST.....: Dexter Gordon
TITLE......: Blows Hot & Cool
LABEL......: Fresh Sound
URL........: http://www.dextergordon.com/
RIP DATE...: Feb-10-2008
STORE DATE.: 000-00-2003
GENRE......: Jazz
QUALITY....: VBR / 44.1Hz / Joint-Stereo
SIZE.......: 44,4 MB
Track Listing:
01 - Silver Plated 04:06
02 - Cry Me A River 03:48
03 - Rhythm Mad 04:34
04 - Don't Worry About Me 03:54
05 - I Hear Music 03:44
06 - Bonna Rue 06:59
07 - I Should Care 02:48
08 - Blowin' For Dootsie 05:34
09 - Tenderly 03:32
─────
38:59 min
Release Notes:
Recorded in LA, 1957
Biography:
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.
- by Scott Yanow (AMG).
http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/record_popup.php?record_id=2861