Dexter Gordon's interpretation of Erroll Garner's "Misty" on his 1967 album Both Sides of Midnight is a gorgeous ballad performance that ranks among the finest versions of this enduring standard. Presented in A-flat major with a 32-bar AABA form at a slow 53 BPM, the track features one-chorus solos from both Gordon on tenor saxophone and Kenny Drew on piano. Gordon's approach to the melody is characteristically unhurried, his warm tone and deliberate phrasing revealing new dimensions in Garner's composition. His use of space between phrases creates dramatic tension that draws the listener deeper into the performance. Drew's piano solo maintains the contemplative mood, his touch light and his harmonic choices sophisticated. Recorded live at the Montmartre Jazzhus in Copenhagen, this performance captures the relaxed intimacy that made Gordon's club dates so compelling. "Misty" had already become one of the most popular standards in jazz by 1967, but Gordon avoids cliche through the sheer individuality of his sound and conception. Both Sides of Midnight, released on the SteepleChase label, preserves several such ballad masterpieces alongside the album's more energetic performances. This track demonstrates that Gordon's artistry was as much about restraint and lyricism as it was about rhythmic drive and harmonic invention.
