Manhattan Symphonie
was recorded just two days after
Dexter Gordon
's legendary gigs at the
Village Vanguard
with his working band of pianist
George Cables
, bassist
Rufus Reid
, and drummer
Eddie Gladden
. Produced by
Michael
, this set captures the true mastery of
Gordon
at his melodic peak. Some of the fire of the earlier
bebop
years has mellowed but, as evidenced by the opening ballad
"As Time Goes By,"
none of his ability to reimagine melody, his trademark phrasing, and his sheer ability to transfer emotion is missing.
Cables
provides a solid foil for
just as he did for
Art Pepper
. His large chord voicings are simultaneously insistent and utterly subtle, shading the harmony with enough depth to give
room to really dig into them and blow. Other standouts here include a fine read of
"Body and Soul,"
"LTD,"
and the beautiful
"Tanya."
The 2005
Legacy
CD reissue includes a previously unreleased version of
"Secret Love,"
and a read of
Thelonious Monk
's
"Ruby My Dear,"
from the
Great Encounters
album.
Pete Hammill
's fine original notes are reproduced here, and there is a short, moving essay by
. The sound is warm, full, and utterly true. ~ Thom Jurek