Lullaby for a Monster in Bloomington, MN

Recorded shortly before his triumphant return to the United States after a dozen years overseas, this
Dexter Gordon
album features him in a surprisingly sparse setting, accompanied only by bassist
Niels Pedersen
and drummer
Alex Riel
. Whether it be the humorous melody
"Nursery Blues,"
Pedersen
's title cut or the four jazz standards (of which
"Good Bait"
was first released on this CD reissue), he is up to the challenge and his lengthy solos never lose one's interest. ~ Scott Yanow