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Dexter Gordon: Take the "A" Train

By James Nichols
April 1, 2001
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During his lifetime, Dexter Gordon played thousands of outstanding small group bop dates. This CD documents one of them.

Gordon recorded this set during a two-day period (July 20-21, 1967) of his self -imposed European exile at Copenhagen’s Montmarte Club. That two-day stand also yielded the albums Both Sides of Midnight and Body and Soul. The European label Black Lion has previously issued these performances. Now available from 1201 Music, this edition has particularly good sound quality thanks to a 24-bit re-mastering.

Gordon and his European quartet, including fellow expatriate drummer "Klook" Clark, stretch out on six standards. These performances mostly clock in at ten to fifteen minutes and Dexter gives the audience his standard issue. We hear his immensely personal dry tone, humorous popular song quotes, very creative bebop solos and his listless and steadily paced baritone voice performing master of ceremonies duties. Very enjoyable, pick it up if you run across it.

Personnel

Dexter Gordon

saxophone, tenor

Album information

Title: Take The "A" Train | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Blue Note

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