Search - Dexter Gordon :: Getting Around

Dexter Got Around

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 10/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While the reviews below differ on the merits of this CD, something they all share is a lack of information as to the specifics of this title. Personally, I find Dexter Gordon's "Gettin' Around" to be highly enjoyable. I agree that this is not his best effort on Blue Note, but his eight albums for the label are the crowning achievement of his five decade long career. Like most of his Blue Notes, "Gettin' Around" was recorded during a stateside tour (like many jazz musicians in the 60s, Gordon chose Paris as home base over New York). Recorded on May 28 & 29, 1965, this session features Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, and the remarkable rhythm trio of Barry Harris on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass and Billy Higgins on drums. (A brief aside: To get the most out of his U.S. visit, Dex went into the studio a day earlier on May 27th with the same rhythm trio, and Freddie Hubbard instead of Hutch, to cut "Clubhouse." This recording was first released on LP in the 70s, and it was released on CD in 1990. However, with the exception of its inclusion in the Blue Note Box Set, it has been out of print for going on ten years.) The rhythm trio of Harris, Cranshaw and Higgins was the backbone of one of Blue Note's most famous recordings, Lee Morgan's "The Sidewinder," and their chemistry here is as great as ever. And speaking of chemistry, Hutch and Dex have a unique brand, as the vibist's precise, percussive style challenges Gordon to play with more deliberate, pronounced phrasings. The CD issue of "Gettin' Around" adds two bonus tracks (both Gordon originals) not available on the original vinyl, which brings the disc's length to almost an hour. In all, this is a fine outing by Dex and is a title that any discerning fan of Blue Note should not hesitate to pick up."

Super cool

Michael B. Richman | 02/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dexter Gordon is my personal favorite tenor saxophonist, he is excellent on this Cd. Especially when a latin rhythmn/texture is created underneath his solo's on "La coiffer": Excellent stuff."