Track Listing

1. Darn That Dream
2. Don't Explain
3. I'm a Fool to Want You
4. Ernie's Tune
5. You've Changed
6. Willow Weep for Me
7. Guess I'll Hang My Tears out to Dry
8. Body and Soul

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17237 in Music
• Brand: Dexter
• Released on: 1991-06-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Album Description
Dexter Gordon was one of the top ballad players of the '60s. Having already made his name in the bebop era and as an expatriate in Europe, Gordon returned to the States to record a series of fine Blue Note discs during the first half of the decade. This edition of the label's Ballads series features Gordon at his peak and in the company of some of hard bop's best players. Gordon delivers his almost sleepy and smoke-filled solos with real grace. The same can also be said of the rest of this incredible program, including a latter-day live cut from 1978. A perfect set for those in need of a provocative after-hours session in front of the stereo.

Customer Reviews

Absolutely the best of Dex!
I am an avid jazz fan, and am in the jazz business. I have also had thousands of jazz albums and CDs in my time. And, well this one rates as one of the best albums in jazz history. This is a collection, though, and all the music can be found on other albums, but I must admit it is a fabulous collection. Another album that is a must have is Dexters album "Lullaby for a Monster" if you don't have it, get it. It is pure genous, Dex at his very best. His compositions are creative and his improv is the best I've ever heard. It is so good it is hard to tell where the tune ends and the improv begins. Other killer Dex CDs to check out are: Biting the apple, Something Different, Clubhouse, and Come Rain or Come Shine. Another classic tenor album in this style is Soul Station by Hank Mobley. Sorry for all the recomendations, but its taken me a lot of listening to come to these conclusions and just wanted to pass along my opinion.

cool american music
The famous photograph on the album cover hung in my room when I was a teenager, before I had developed any real appreciation for jazz. I liked the feel of the photo, dex so cool in his suit and hat and horn and blowing out smoke like he was just the coolest cat in the world. I think the photo was so cool that it made me start smoking - or maybe that was my older brother. In any case, I just wanted to add these five stars to all of the others and, you never know, maybe this will tip the scale towards somebody seeking out this great work. Dex really was a cool cat, and it is gratifying to know that he returned to the US while he could still play high-quality music. His exile also serves to remind americans of the debt that we owe to European audiences (esp. the French - as tough as it is to thank them) for sticking with Jazz in the early 70's when americans were fleeing to mass produced music and the orgiastic pagan rituals of stadium rock. I liked very much the review from salt lake city with its explanations of spacing and the essential romantic quality of jazz ballads. Jazz wasn't meant to be rocket science (though it's great when it is) it is just meant to swing.

ballads
5 stars just ain't enuf!*************************AND THEN SOME i received this cd on wednesday march 7 2001, and have listened to it almost every waking hour since. like moe snodgrass, my exposure to dexter gordon was via 'round midnight. i purchased the soundtrack listened to him, but never really appreicated his talent. that is till now! listen when you're alone. listen when with ........whoever! just kick back and listen. as this generation would say, ' it's da bomb!'