Dexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon - Ca'Purange (1972) {Prestige OJCCD-1005-2 rel 1999}
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© 1972, 1999 Prestige / Fantasy | OJCCD-1005-2
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone / Trumpet

The harmonically advanced trumpeter Thad Jones is a perfect contrast to the tenor of Dexter Gordon on this enjoyable Prestige LP. Gordon was somewhat forgotten in the United States at the time (his "comeback" was still four years away), but is in excellent form on the four numbers, particularly during a passionate version of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."

Dexter Gordon (tenor sax) entered the 1970s — as well as his career’s quarter-century mark — on a definite upstroke with the sly, sexy — and above else — stylish platter The Panther! (1970). Gordon commands a quartet whose membership boasts luminaries Tommy Flanagan (piano), Larry Ridley (bass), and Alan Dawson (drums). Remarkably — or perhaps simply a testament to Gordon and company’s prowess — the album’s half-dozen sides all hail from a single early July 1970 get-together. The material is divided between outstanding interpretations of the Great American Songbook classic “Body and Soul,” the Mel Tormé co-penned seasonal standard “The Christmas Song” aka “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” Clifford Brown’s “Blues Walk,” and a trio of Gordon originals.

Dexter Gordon had such a colorful and eventful life (with three separate comebacks) that his story would make a great Hollywood movie. The top tenor saxophonist to emerge during the bop era and possessor of his own distinctive sound, Gordon sometimes was long-winded and quoted excessively from other songs, but he created a large body of superior work and could battle nearly anyone successfully at a jam session. His first important gig was with Lionel Hampton (1940-1943) although, due to Illinois Jacquet also being in the sax section, Gordon did not get any solos.