Dexter Gordon
Gettin' Around | 45rpm 2LP

Music Matters / Blue Note

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About

“Of the many bebop greats who emerged in the mid-1940s, Dexter Gordon was one of the very few (along with Art Blakey and Kenny Dorham) to be a Blue Note artist two decades later. His large sound, ability to play long solos with creativity, and infectiously swinging style made Long Tall Dexter an irresistible force for many years. He fit into the hard bop world as effortlessly as he did in bop and swing settings, infusing the music with humorous song quotes, rousing ideas, and his wonderful tone. No one could out swing Gordon. He had no difficulty keeping up with such younger players as Bobby Hutcherson, Barry Harris and Billy Higgins on 1965's Getting' Around. Dexter's passionate sound the ballads "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" and "Who Can I Turn To" and his drive on "Shiny Stockings" (one of the very few times that this Count Basie-associated song was recorded by a small group) makes Getting' Around memorable from start to finish, demonstrating that Dexter Gordon and the Blue Note label were a magical combination.” - Music Matters

"The Tower of Power," "Long Tall," "LT"—you don't acquire such noms de troubadour by being retiring or inconspicuous in your approach to making music. Indeed, Dexter Gordon is such a forceful presence and commanding storyteller that he can be a heavy load, requiring nothing less than the listener's undivided attention. Gettin' Around, a 2006 release of a 2005 Rudy Van Gelder-remastered 1965 session, reveals a more dulcet and demure Gordon. He softens his sound, holds back on the searing top tones, evens out his vibrato, and takes more than a page out of the Lester Young book: this is Gordon in a mellotone, a session that plays well any time and any number of times. - All About Jazz

Musicians:

  • Dexter Gordon, tenor sax
  • Bobby Hutcherson, vibes
  • Barry Harris, piano
  • Bob Cranshaw, bass
  • Billy HIggins, drums

About Dexter Gordon:

“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 '50s (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. 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. ~ Scott Yanow” – Blue Note Records

 

Item description:

Artist:

Dexter Gordon

Title:

Gettin' Around

Label:

Music Matters / Blue Note

Format:

2 × Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Album

Pressing:

US

Release Date:

This reissue: 2010 | Original - 1965

Genre:

Jazz

Style:

Bop

Catalog No:

MMBST-84204

Condition:

New