Dexter Gordon - Nights at the Keystone, Vol.3 (1990)

This third volume of live club dates for Dexter Gordon's American quartet has the tenor saxophonist languishing in late-night, after-hours balladry, with a briefly energized second wind. The lyrical and lucid patience Gordon puts into every note is a case study for all students in how to take a melody and slowly wring every ounce of emotion out of it, leaving nothing behind, and how not to rush into impulsiveness. Pianist George Cables, bassist Rufus Reid. and drummer Eddie Gladden comprised perhaps the best stateside band in the second half of Gordon's career, a thoroughly professional group. The only real upbeat piece here is the half-tempo Cables' original "I Told You So," a quick and bright bossa whose melody moves right along, but has a donut hole in that it misses, and an accompanying horn -- perhaps a trumpet -- to make it sound complete. While Gordon's mastery of classic ballads like "You've Changed" over eighteen-and-a-half minutes is evident, this version sounds a bit hollow as his abject restraint in playing the complete melody is superseded by bluesy accents and breathy, spare phrases. "Body & Soul" is a signature piece from Gordon, with a modal underpinning from Cables and slightly rolling tempo from the original ballad form, more pronounced and swinging over 17 minutes. Gordon is in his most thoughtful, repast mood on the true ballad "As Time Goes By," not so much melancholy as he is restful and dreamy, with no inkling of rushing into things. This CD represents two different live sessions done at the Keystone Korner in San Francisco, separated by six months. Whether they were merely afterthoughts, last sets of any given night, or just tracks the producers picked to be a third volume to complement the first two matters little. One could issue a hundred similar sessions from this band, and all would likely be valuable and enjoyable.