DEXTER GORDON - Our Man in Paris (1963-2003) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1963 date is titled for Dexter Gordon's living in self-imposed Parisian exile and recording there with two other exptriates and a French native. Along with Gordon, pianist Bud Powell and Kenny "Klook" Clarke were living in the City of Lights and were joined by the brilliant French bassman Pierre Michelot. This is a freewheeling bop date with the band working out on such categoric standards as "Scrapple from the Apple," and "A Night in Tunisia." In addition, American vernacular tunes such as "Willow Weep for Me" and "Stairway to the Stars" are included. Gordon is at the very top of his game here. His playing is crisp, tight, and full of playful fury. Powell, who at this stage of his life was almost continually plagued by personal problems, never sounded better than he does in this session. His playing is a tad more laid-back here, but is nonetheless full of the brilliant harmonic asides and incendiary single-note runs he is legendary for. The rhythm section is close-knit and stop-on-a-dime accurate.
(This comment is posted on allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog O Púbis da Rosa)

Tracklist:

1 Scrapple from the Apple 7:22
Charlie Parker
2 Willow Weep for Me 8:47
Ann Ronell
3 Broadway 6:44
Billy Bird / Teddy McRae / Henry J. Wood
4 Stairway to the Stars 6:57
Matty Malneck / Mitchell Parish / Frank Signorelli
5 A Night in Tunisia 8:15
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
6 Love Is Here to Stay 5:39
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
7 Like Someone in Love 6:19
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
Credits:
Bass – Pierre Michelot
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – Bud Powell
Remastered By [Remastered In 2003 By] – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Dexter Gordon