Jackie McLean/Dexter Gordon on Steeplechase

Eulipion2 said:

I just picked up the 1973 recording of Jackie McLean and Dexter Gordon, The Source, and man, it really knocked me out! I never knew they played together. I've been listening to a lot of Jackie, and while at work (Borders) was looking for some recordings, came across this, ordered it, and wow! Anyone else have this album, or the first volume of this collaboration, The Meeting?

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Yeah, Eulipion2, thanks for reminding my of those great CDs! I put on The Meeting as soon as I read your post, 'cuz it's been a while... I'd say I prefer it over The Source, though part of that might be familiarity -- it's the one I had first (originally bought on LP...), and know best.

Dexter and Jackie sound marvelous together -- though Jackie's in his own (flat) intonational universe that makes his lines even more bracing -- and took a bit of getting used to for me at first. (Von Freeman's the only other guy I can think of who inhabits a sort of "alternate intonation reality" and can get away with it....) After one of Jackie's tart and astringent solos, Dex sounds like heavy cream!

Part of what also kills about these recordings is the rhythm section: Kenny Drew swings his butt off, NHOP is down-and-out astonishingly great, and Alex Riel on drums is an aggressive ball-buster who would intimidate lesser players (Riel also has a great recording out, Unriel!, that pairs Jerry Bergonzi and Michael Brecker (!!!), along with Mike Stern and Eddie Gomez -- good stuff).

JuliusTole said:

Love all off Jackie's periods. His early Blue Note stuff is classic- Swing, Swang, Swingin to the more avante garde- Let Freedom Ring, Destination Out. Have all the Steeple Chase stuff too. There's a record called Tune Up that's pretty raw but is super soulful. Old Wine and New Bottles is a later one too, not sure of the label. His recordings in the 80's and 90's on Antilles and the Japanese Blue Note label are all killing. Rhythm of the Earth, Fire and Love, JMac Attack, Hat Trick. Almost forgot the early stuff he did for Prestige- Long Dring of the Blues- he plays a track on tenor. He's the greatest, could go on and on- Jmac on Mars- video and the Connection w/ Freddie Redd. He told me that when he did those Dex sides Dex was pretty intoxicated and was sitting down the whole gig. Gotta check out those early Messenger records too- Night in Tunisia.

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I have that TUNE UP album on vinyl !

Jackie had a thing, swingwise, that was the epitome of 1950s NYC.

Growing up around Sonny Rollins, I think, had a big impact, also as he was
the prodigy that everyone in the neighborhood looked up to.

Funny you mention that tenor solo on Long Drink; I think if Jackie had played
more tenor you would have seen the Sonny/Bird tenor influence more readily.

Bird's recordings on tenor had a deep impact on Sonny, according to many
of the guys who knew him, then(Walter Bishop Jr. being one..).

Both those guys(Jackie&Newk) were around Bud, Bird, Miles, Kenny Drew Art Taylor.

How could you not get it together w/ that kind of impetus ?
Art Blakey .. Monk as musical mentors:shock:

Imagine what inspiration they had being native to that environment and literally
being baptized and coming of age, musically, in those scenarios.

Soulful, raw, and swinging like mad -- he really picked up on those shifting
rhythmic accents that make him more interesting than a Sonny Stitt; even
though Stitt could've probably worn him down w/ the 'licks', in a jam session
environment.

Stitt was a lickmeister, for sure, and I love his best moments, but Jackie had
something else that made him sooo great, even when he repeated himself.

That conviction in his phrasing, he got directly from Dexter Gordon who was
also convincing and believable even when he was 'quoting' or playing cliches
that would sound/seem trite coming from the average player of the period.

They both meant it from the depths of their souls; Dex and J.Mac