Dexter Gordon - Willisau 1978

[mjzee]

Release date July 9:

In Willisau in 1978, Dexter Gordon is in a very happy period. Columbia signs the prodigal tenor resulting in the significant successes “Sophisticated Giant” and “Manhattan Symphony”, together with a rhythm section that Dexter then tours on club stages across the country. From this rich and sustained collaboration is born an incomparable musical osmosis, which makes the saxophonist's quartet of that time an authentic musical ark. It’s consequently this group, exquisitely road tight and brimming with desire to play, which arrives in Willisau in 1978, a year which sees Dexter awarded “Musician of the Year” by Down Beat magazine, and two years before being inducted into the renowned “Jazz Hall of Fame”. And since Dexter is not the type to let the flow of music unfold without fueling it with endless proposals for his partners, he knows he can rely on and lean luxuriously on the Cables – Reid –Gladden triplets, a trio synonymous with 24\-karat! And if we had a mini\-doubt concerning the pleasure that Dexter takes playing that night, we only have to let ourselves be carried away by his muscular and intoxicating dialogue, which is particularly riddled with famous quotes, as enjoyable as they are occasionally unexpected. Like the boppers, Dexter has always adored the nod granted by a well\-placed melodic quote, which he uses either in relation to a neighboring harmonic sequence which lends itself to it, or in a textual relation with the lyrics of the song he quotes! For the repertoire of the day’s concert, our favorite tenor takes no prisoners! It's meat from start to finish, with themes that are practically tattooed on the soul of this exceptional performer.

[Dan Gould]

I like the setlist (can't recall too many times Dex took on Green Dolphin St or Hi-Fly) but really prefer anyone else to Cables in this group. I'm sure I'll be in for it though ... suddenly occurred to me I could always make my own edits and re-burn, fade out on Cables, in when Dex returns.  YMMV, but I tell ya, if I had thought of that sooner I'd have kept the Uptown release of this group, because the problem with Cables "taking it where we want to, Dex didn't care (paraphrasing here)" was especially egregious, IMHO, on ballads.

Edited June 7, 2021 by Dan Gould

[HutchFan]

I'm in.

I'll offer another perspective when it comes to George Cables. I think he's wonderful with Dex.  I love the the Keystone recordings with this quartet, and I expect I'll dig this date too.  ... By the way, I love Cables with Art Pepper also.  ... And in a trio setting.    

Just my take, of course.  

 

[felser]

Dan would prefer Gene Harris .  That Swiss Radio Days series is wonderful.  Audio tends to be stunning, and the musicians tend to give superior performances.  I'm borderline just because I have so very much 70's Dex already.  I'm sure it'll be really good.

[Dan Gould]

6 minutes ago, felser said:

Dan would prefer Gene Harris .  

Well I could dream, but in all seriousness, for me, Kenny Drew was the ultimate accompanist for Dex. 

I do have to keep my Dexaholic Card active so I will watch this space for someone to tell me its on pre-order at Amazon.

 

[HutchFan]

5 minutes ago, Dan Gould said:

Well I could dream, but in all seriousness, for me, Kenny Drew was the ultimate accompanist for Dex. 

Drew & Dexter were a potent combo.   

One of my favorite Dexter discs:

 

Edited June 7, 2021 by HutchFan

[John L]

1 hour ago, HutchFan said:

I'm in.

I'll offer another perspective when it comes to George Cables. I think he's wonderful with Dex.  I love the the Keystone recordings with this quartet, and I expect I'll dig this date too.  ... By the way, I love Cables with Art Pepper also.  ... And in a trio setting.    

Just my take, of course.  

 

Yes, I also love Cables with Dex.   It recalls all those beautiful nights in the Keystone Korner in the late 70s.  

[Ed S]

Now available for pre-order on Amazon US - $16.99

Dexter Gordon - Willisau 1978