While many people love Dexter Gordon's "Ballads" album, this is it for me. I transcribed every note he plays, and he just tears up every song. Kenny Clarke plays off Gordon like they share a brain, and while this was towards the end of Bud Powell's career, he still plays a mean comping role.On several tunes, including the opener "Scrapple From The Apple," Gordon begins his solo by repeating just one note, and he swings the SH*T out of it before going into some great bop lines. His feel is unmistakeable. He reinvented the term "laid back."Outstanding album all around. If you don't have it, buy it, and if you don't like jazz, you should try this one out. It's not too brainy. These guys just swing hard and play from the gut, something anybody should be able to feel.
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