Dexter Gordon - More Power!
ARTIST.....: Dexter Gordon
TITLE......: More Power!
LABEL......: Prestige
URL........: http://www.dextergordon.com/
RIP DATE...: Jun-12-2008
STORE DATE.: 000-00-1969
GENRE......: Jazz
QUALITY....: VBR / 44.1Hz / Joint-Stereo
SIZE.......: 59,2 MB
Track Listing:
01 - Lady Bird 10:42
02 - Meditation 08:30
03 - Fried Bananas 06:07
04 - Boston Bernie 07:38
05 - Sticky Wicket 07:03
─────
40:00 min
Release Notes:
Review by Lindsay Planer
Dexter Gordon's return Stateside resulted in the tenor
participating in his first studio sessions in nearly a decade. Not
only would his April 1969 confab with James Moody (tenor sax),
Barry Harris (piano), Buster Williams (bass), and Albert "Tootie"
Heath (drums) yield this long player, but its
predecessor/companion Tower of Power! as well. Things get off to a
hectic start with both Moody and Gordon front and center on Tadd
Dameron's "Lady Bird." Things get a bit overwhelming as the two
tenors go horn-to-horn with Miles Davis' "Half Nelson" thrown into
the mix. Otherwise, it is a fun rendition that finds Gordon
quoting Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" within
his extended extemporaneous leads. Moody then counters in an
exceedingly soulful manner. He demonstrates his remarkable depth,
dexterity and melodic sensibilities. One of the highlights of the
project is the slight stylistic diversion on the update of Antonio
Carlos Jobim's timeless "Meditation (Meditac,a~o)." The
uncomplicated, yet exquisite horn lines rival that of sax samba
guru Stan Getz. It also begs the question why Gordon didn't
venture into Latin rhythms with any degree of frequency. "Fried
Bananas" is a rousing recycling of Rodgers & Hart's "It Could
Happen to You." The trend of reconfiguring Great American Songbook
standards subsequently resurfaces on "Boston Bernie," but more
about that in a moment. Back to "Fried Bananas" briefly to point
out the charming interaction between Gordon and Heath as the pair
trade fours just prior to the conclusion. The bouncy and beguiling
"Boston Bernie" bears a definite resemblance to the Jerome Kern
classic "All the Things You Are." The syncopated setting does
wonders to the tune, creating an avenue for Gordon's catchy and
expressive performance. "Sticky Wicket" concludes More Power! with
Moody and Gordon blending together one last time. Moody merely
accompanies his fellow tenor as they blow in tandem during the
opening and closing. Debatably, the approach comes off more
cohesively than the alternate of the number that initially
surfaced on the Blue Dex: Dexter Gordon Plays the Blues compile.
Other outtakes from these dates can be located on Gordon's
authoritative Complete Prestige Recordings (2004) box set. It
hosts previously unearthed renderings of "Lady Bird," an arguably
superior "Boston Bernie," as well as the Michael Carr cut "Dinner
for One Please, James," which Nat Cole had a modicum of success
with.
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