Search - Dexter Gordon :: L.T.D. Live at the Left Bank

Long Tall Dexter cookin' in Baltimore 1969

J. Levinson | Media, PA USA | 01/06/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dexter put on a powerful performance at the Baltimore club the Left Bank in 1969, ably assisted by a talented pick-up band that included Bobby Timmons on piano, Victor Gaskin on bass, and Percy Brice on drums. There are only four selections on this disc, but they are lengthy jams that give the players room to explore the harmonic potential of the tunes. "In a Sentimental Mood", the only ballad, relatively short here at under nine minutes, gives Gordon the opportunity to show the full warmth of his tone. Timmons comps behind him with lush, supportive harmony, then takes an elegant solo of his own. Although this was a pickup band for Dexter, Timmons contribution is strong throughout the set. The remainder of the program allows for plenty of uptempo riffing by the sax and the piano. All of Dexter's trademark techniques are displayed here, like the brief "Mona Lisa" and circus music quotes in his "Broadway" solo. Also notable is a spontaneous burst of "La Marseillaise" during a solo, a direct reference to his years in France. His style had progressed a bit from the fifties, though the only evidence of modern influences might be the length of the jams. Victor Gaskin takes several nice bass solos, including a particularly nice bowed solo on "Blues Up and Down".While not the top pick from Dexter's lengthy discography, this CD delivers a fine representation of his abilities in a live performance context."

Must have for Dex fans

Corrado Beldi | Jazz Critic, Milano, Italy | 01/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Potrei riconoscere un assolo di Dexter Gordon tra altri mille, non tanto perché il primo saxofono che ho ascoltato è il suo (Go! Blue Note, 1962, con Sonny Clarck, Butch Warren e Billy Higgins), ma soprattutto perché il morbido fraseggio che esce dalle sue ance, il senso del ritmo, la sicurezza negli attacchi, ne han fatto un vero monumento del jazz. Ogni sua incisione è un miracolo. Anche questa, catturata al Black Hawck di Chicago nel 1969, con Bobby Timmons, Victor Gaskin e Percy Brice ed una versione di Misty capace di far sgorgare lacrime vere.

Arthur Cravan"