Dexter Gordon - Stella By Starlight (1966) (Vinyl Album)

Dexter Gordon - Stella By Starlight (1966)

Personnel:
Kenny Drew - Piano
Dexter Gordon - Tenor and Soprano Saxophones
Makaya Ntshoko - Drums
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen - Bass
Pony Poindexter Alto Saxophone and Vocal

Recorded live January 6, 1966 in Copenhagen at Montmartre Jazzhus.

Tracks:
1. Stella By Starlight 00:01
2. Satin Doll 17:00
3. Round Midnight 37:09
4. Sonnymoon For Two

Dexter Gordon broadcasts made by Danmarks Radio from the Montmarte Jazzhus, Copenhagen , there's the presence of altoist Pony Poindexter in a second horn slot. Poindexter was on European tour at the start of 1966 and found time to sit in with Gordon's working combo. Neither man was a stranger to two horn team-ups, Gordon locking congenial saxes with the likes of Wardell Gray, Gene Ammons and James Moody among a host of others over the course of his career. Mark Gardner's exceptionally readable liners also make mention of an earlier meeting between the two in '62 that included Billy Mitchell, Phil Woods, Gene Quill and Pepper Adams. Man, sign me up for a copy that one!

The program here focuses on three loquacious readings of standards. Solos are routinely lengthy and there are lots of them. Pianist Kenny Drew and bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Gordon's regular Montmarte confreres make up the rhythm section along with guest drummer Makaya Ntshoko, pinch hitting for Alex Riel who apparently had the night off. The title track commences in media res with the front men finishing the tail end of the theme statement. Gordon takes the floor early, holding forth with a robust extended foray as Drew comps somewhat reticently beneath him. Poindexter's solo suffers from a somewhat shrill tonality in spots. But he surprises with a lively scat-sung rejoinder as follow-up. Drew and Pedersen have their respective says in succession next as Ntshoko keeps competent, if garden-variety time. A string of loose sax exchanges and final return to theme predictably signs the action off.

Occupying just over a third of an hour "Satin Doll" follows the same general template with minor deviations and includes another priceless Pedersen improvisation. "Round About Midnight" finds the band starting to gel in earnest and contains the finest playing by Poindexter of the date as he adjusts to the smoky ballad tempo of the piece. The tempered work of the rest of the band is gorgeously on target too, Ntshoko whose minimalist brushes add just the right amount of diaphanous texture. Gordon's sensuous baritone inaugurates all but the title number with sultry spoken prefaces to further seduce the crowd. "Sonnymoon For Two" is present only as a maddeningly abbreviated half- minute taste, those misguided Danmarks engineers possibly fading out for what might have been station identification. Then again, beggars can't be choosers as they say. And when it comes to recorded work Gordon's certainly falls under the header "Finite Supply". ~ Derek Taylor