Today's Trip:
Dexter Gordon -- One Flight Up
with/ Donald Byrd, Kenny Drew, Art Taylor, Niels-Henning Orsted
Recorded in paris in 1964. All the players except the Dane, Orsted, were American expatriates living and playing in Europe.
The playing is exceptionally enjoyable. Only four tracks, so the soloist can really stretch out and take the time to state their case. All the music is mid-tempo and very lyrical. The Frogman would have a field day breaking down these solos.
Makes me wonder that maybe a lot of other Recorded Jazz was too much, crammed into too little time and space.
The liner notes were written by Leonard Feather. His style is what I would call Frogmanesque. Sort of technical, but very interesting.
There are a few statements in the liner notes that irritated me. The players say that European audiences had a very special insight into Jazz. After all that goose stepping, I find that hard to believe. And that the place was "almost completely free or racial prejudeice". I guess they had not heard of World War Two.
The cover photo is one of the most interesting in Jazz. Which is another thing we have lost, the Great Blue Note black & white photos. Just as audiophiles have lost the great cartoons of Rodriquez.
All in All, a very good session. Highly Recommended.
Cheers
