Search - Dexter Gordon :: Other Side of Round Midnight

Better than it ought to be!

Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 12/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album was recorded as the soundtrack for the film "Round Midnight",which featured Dexter Gordon.However Bernard Tavernier, the director of the film had the foresight to bring in Herbie Hancock as MD, and allowed Gordon a great deal of input into the whole production process, as well as hiring some excellent sidesmen familiar with Dexter's work for the project.The recordings were done mainly at Studios Davout in Paris, with some other work undertaken at Studio Clair,and everybody concerned seemed to have enjoyed the mellow and relaxed atmosphere which is certainly reflected in the quality of the recording. Standouts for me are "Society Red" with Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and "As time goes by" with John McLaughlin on guitar. However there are a couple of tunes which Dexter didn't play on which are also good; a great version of "It's only a paper moon" and "Call sheet blues" which appears to have been recorded spontaneously outside the film sountrack, and which features Wayne Shorter on Tenor Saxophone. Not absolutely essential Dexter, but a must have for anyone who has seen and enjoyed the film from whence it came."