Dexter Gordon TAKE THE A TRAIN

Personnel: Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone); Kenny Drew (piano); Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen (bass); Albert Heath (drums).
Recorded at the Jazzhaus Montmarte, Copenhagen, Denmark on July 21, 1967. Includes liner notes by Mark Gardner.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
One of the better of Gordon's many live recordings from 1960s Copenhagen (where he lived for 15 years), TAKE THE "A" TRAIN finds the commanding saxophonist in relaxed and blazingly creative performance mode. Flanked by a trio of fine musicians on bass, piano and drums, Gordon gives the six numbers of the set extensive workouts, clocking each track in at around 10 to 15 minutes.
From Cole Porter's "Love For Sale" to the brief, tender ballad "I Guess I'll Have To Hang My Tears Out To Dry," Dex employs his characteristically rich, sonorous tone and unfurls a seemingly endless supply of dazzling improvisations. The improvs are particularly noteworthy on "But Not For Me" and the title tune, in which the artist rips through chorus after chorus of fluent, wide-ranging, rhythmically and tonally sophisticated soloing to truly dazzling degree. Great playing, strong ensemble work and dynamic live energy make this album a stand-out among Gordon's live '60s albums.

• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: Jazz