When Dexter Gordon recorded The Resurgence of Dexter Gordon for Jazzland in 1960, he was on parole from Chino State Penitentiary for drug posession. He also was co-starring in a Los Angeles production of The Connection, for which he wrote original music. The album marked the first time he recorded since 1955. For his next album, in 1961, Gordon recorded Doin' Allright for Blue Note. The top-flight personnel included Freddie Hubbard (tp), Dexter Gordon (ts), Horace Parlan (p), George Tucker (b) and Al Harewood (d). The album featured superb songs, including Gordon's own Society Red and For Regulars Only. In short, it's a perfect album, with Gordon in peak form, and a must own.
My favorite song on the album has always been the title track—the Gershwins' I Was Doing All Right. In addition to lyrical playing by Hubbard and Gordon, there's the added bonus of Parlan, one of my favorite session pianists. Listen to his solo build and the delight of his unusual chord voicings. [Photo above of Horace Parlan by Francis Wolff and courtesy of Mosaic Records]
Here's I Was Doing All Right...
