Dexter Gordon - More Power! 'April 2, 1969 & April 4, 1969

Artist	Dexter Gordon Related artists
Album name	More Power!
Country
Date	April 2, 1969 & April 4, 1969
Genre	Jazz
Play time	39:48
Format / Bitrate	Stereo 1420 Kbps / 44.1 kHz MP3 320 Kbps
Media	CD
Size	248 MB
Price	Download $1.95

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Tracks list

Tracks

01. Lady Bird 
02. Meditation (MeditaÃ§Ã£o) 
03. Fried Bananas 
04. Boston Bernie 
05. Sticky Wicke

Personnel

Dexter Gordon - tenor saxophone
James Moody - tenor saxophone (#1,5)
Barry Harris - piano
Buster Williams - bass
Albert Tootie Heath - drums


Dexter Gordons return Stateside resulted in the tenor participating in his first
studio sessions in nearly a decade. Not only would his April 1969 confab with
James Moody (tenor sax), Barry Harris (piano), Buster Williams (bass), and
Albert Tootie Heath (drums) yield this long player, but its
predecessor/companion Tower of Power! as well. Things get off to a hectic start
with both Moody and Gordon front and center on Tadd Damerons Lady Bird. Things
get a bit overwhelming as the two tenors go horn-to-horn with Miles Davis Half
Nelson thrown into the mix. Otherwise, it is a fun rendition that finds Gordon
quoting Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakovs Flight of the Bumblebee within his extended
extemporaneous leads. Moody then counters in an exceedingly soulful manner. He
demonstrates his remarkable depth, dexterity and melodic sensibilities. One of
the highlights of the project is the slight stylistic diversion on the update of
Antonio Carlos Jobims timeless Meditation (MeditaÃ§Ã£o). The uncomplicated,
yet exquisite horn lines rival that of sax samba guru Stan Getz. It also begs
the question why Gordon didnt venture into Latin rhythms with any degree of
frequency. Fried Bananas is a rousing recycling of Rodgers & Harts It Could
Happen to You. The trend of reconfiguring Great American Songbook standards
subsequently resurfaces on Boston Bernie, but more about that in a moment. Back
to Fried Bananas briefly to point out the charming interaction between Gordon
and Heath as the pair trade fours just prior to the conclusion. The bouncy and
beguiling Boston Bernie bears a definite resemblance to the Jerome Kern classic
All the Things You Are. The syncopated setting does wonders to the tune,
creating an avenue for Gordons catchy and expressive performance. Sticky Wicket
concludes More Power! with Moody and Gordon blending together one last time.
Moody merely accompanies his fellow tenor as they blow in tandem during the
opening and closing. Debatably, the approach comes off more cohesively than the
alternate of the number that initially surfaced on the Blue Dex: Dexter Gordon
Plays the Blues compile. Other outtakes from these dates can be located on
Gordons authoritative Complete Prestige Recordings (2004) box set. It hosts
previously unearthed renderings of Lady Bird, an arguably superior Boston
Bernie, as well as the Michael Carr cut Dinner for One Please, James, which Nat
Cole had a modicum of success with.

Lindsay Planer