Our Man in Paris
- Artist: Dexter Gordon
- Total time: 49:53
- Label: Blue Note
- Availability: Sold out
- Item #: 8004395
- List Price: $17.98
- Member Price: $11.98
Review
This 1963 date is titled for Dexter Gordon's living in self-imposed Parisian exile and recording there with two other exptriates and a French native. Along with Gordon, pianist Bud Powell and Kenny "Klook" Clarke were living in the City of Lights and were joined by the brilliant French bassman Pierre Michelot. This is a freewheeling bop date with the band working out on such categoric standards as "Scrapple from the Apple," and "A Night in Tunisia." In addition, American vernacular tunes such as "Willow Weep for Me" and "Stairway to the Stars" are included. Gordon is at the very top of his game here. His playing is crisp, tight, and full of playful fury. Powell, who at this stage of his life was almost continually plagued by personal problems, never sounded better than he does in this session. His playing is a tad more laid-back here, but is nonetheless full of the brilliant harmonic asides and incendiary single-note runs he is legendary for. The rhythm section is close-knit and stop-on-a-dime accurate. This Rudy Van Gelder-remastered edition of the CD features the same extras the original CD issue did, but with marginally improved sound; these were derived from two-track masters anyway so they already sound great. If you aren't an audiophile you won't hear the difference and this is a waste of money; it's another blatant attempt by Blue Note to get you to shell out hard-earned dollars for something you already have that's already very fine. If you're going to obsess until you can't stand it and break down anyway, then go ahead, get it over with. But the earlier CD release is plenty fine for most listeners, so no thank you Blue Note -- this CD is unnecessary. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
Read About This Recording
The Blue Note RVG series gives the legendary recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder (for whom the series is named) an opportunity to newly remaster an extensive series of classic Blue Note gems from the past.
Dexter Gordon recorded regularly for Blue Note during 1961-65. One of jazz's greatest tenor-saxophonists, Gordon had an extensive career that began during the late part of the swing era. He picked up experience playing with the big bands of Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong and Billy Eckstine before becoming arguably the very first bebop tenor-saxophonist. Gordon starred in a series of early bop recordings and during legendary jam sessions opposite fellow tenors Wardell Gray and Teddy Edwards held in clubs on Los Angeles' Central Avenue.
Although he was less active in the 1950s, Gordon made a full comeback by 1960. His big sound, influenced by Lester Young and Illinois Jacquet, in turn was an influence on John Coltrane. He spent 1962-76 living and working regularly in Europe. Upon his return to the U.S. in 1976, Gordon was rightfully acclaimed as a living legend and he played to great acclaim. After health problems resulted in him becoming less active, Gordon made his final comeback in the early 1980s, gaining an Academy Award nomination for his acting in the film 'Round Midnight. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 67.
Our Man In Paris is from the following year and is a noteworthy matchup between Dexter and the innovative bop pianist Bud Powell, along with bassist Pierre Michelot and drummer Kenny Clarke. The seven numbers, which include a version of Our Love Is Here To Stay that was not on the original LP, are comprised of standards including Scrapple From The Apple, Broadway and A Night In Tunisia. Not only is this one of Gordon's best dates but it is one of the finest recordings of Bud Powell in his later years.
This Blue Note classic is highly recommended and a must for collectors of straightahead jazz.
-Scott Yanow
Extended Article
The Rudy Van Gelder (RVG) Series consists of classic Blue Note albums that have been newly remastered in 24-bit by original engineer Rudy Van Gelder with state of the art equipment. These audiophile releases contain bonus tracks and session photos.
Contents
Remastered!
Scrapple From The Apple; Willow Weep For Me; Broadway; Stairway To The Stars; A Night In Tunisia; Our Love Is Here To Stay; Like Someone In Love.
Dexter Gordon, Tenor Sax; Bud Powell, Piano; Pierre Michelot, Bass; Kenny Clarke, Drums.
Tracks + Soundclips
| Our Man in Paris | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
1. Scrapple from the Apple | 7:22 |
|
2. Willow Weep for Me | 8:47 |
|
3. Broadway | 6:44 |
|
4. Stairway to the Stars | 6:57 |
|
5. Night in Tunisia | 8:15 |
|
6. Love Is Here to Stay [*] | 5:39 |
|
7. Like Someone in Love [#][*] | 6:19 |
Details and Credits
- Label: Blue Note
- Release date: 1963/05/23
- Instrumental
- Hard Bop
- Bop
| Album Credits | |
Performance Credits |
|
| Bud Powell | Piano |
| Dexter Gordon | Sax (Tenor) |
| Kenny Clarke | Drums |
| Pierre Michelot | Bass |
Technical Credits |
|
| Bob Blumenthal | Liner Notes |
| Claude Ermelin | Engineer |
| Francis Wolff | Producer |
| Gordon Jee | Creative Director |
| Micaela Boland | Art Direction |
| Michael Cuscuna | Liner Notes |
| Nat Hentoff | Liner Notes |
| Reid Miles | Cover Design |
| Ron McMaster | Digital Transfers |
| Rudy Van Gelder | Engineer |
Dexter Gordon
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