Dexter Gordon - Ballads

Along with Gene Ammons and Stanley Turrentine, Dexter Gordon was one of the top ballad players of the '60s. Having already made his name in the bebop era and as an expatriate in Europe, Gordon returned to the States to record a series of fine Blue Note discs during the first half of the decade. This edition of the label's Ballads series features Gordon at his peak and in the company of some of hard bop's best players. Whether melding nicely with trumpeter Donald Byrd from a Paris date in 1964 ("Darn That Dream") or locking in with the stellar rhythm section of Sonny Clark, Butch Warren, and Billy Higgins ("Don't Explain"), Gordon delivers his almost sleepy and smoke-filled solos with regal grace. The same can also be said of the rest of this incredible program, including a latter-day live cut from 1978. A perfect set for those in need of a provocative after-hours session in front of the stereo. ~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Harewood Drums Alfred Lion Producer Art Taylor Drums Barry Harris Piano Billy Higgins Drums Bob Cranshaw Bass Bud Powell Piano Butch Warren Bass Carol Friedman Art Direction Dexter Gordon Sax (Tenor) Donald Byrd Trumpet Eddie Gladden Drums Freddie Hubbard Trumpet George Cables Piano George Tucker Bass Herman Leonard Cover Photo Horace Parlan Piano Kenny Clarke Drums Kenny Drew Piano Michael Cuscuna Producer, Compilation Producer Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen Bass Patrick Roques Design Paul Chambers Bass Philly Joe Jones Drums Pierre Michelot Bass Rudy Van Gelder Engineer, Recorder Rufus Reid Bass Society Red Productions Producer Sonny Clark Piano Todd Barkan Producer