Dexter Gordon - The Panther!/Tangerine (1998)

Tracklist

The Panther! (1970)
01. The Panther! (Gordon) - 6:30
02. Body and Soul (Green-Eyton-Heyman-Sour) - 11:02
03. Valse Robin (Gordon) - 5:59
04. Mrs. Miniver (Gordon) - 7:39
05. The Christmas Song (Torme-Wells) - 5:24
06. The Blues Walk (Brown) - 7:26
Tangerine (1972)
07. Tangerine (Mercer-Schertzinger) - 9:01
08. August Blues (Gordon) - 10:01
09. What It Was (Gordon) - 8:10
10. Days of Wine and Roses (Mercer-Mancini) - 8:45

personnel :

#1-6:
Dexter Gordon - tenor saxophone
Tommy Flanagan - piano
Larry Ridley - bass
Alan Dawson - drums
Recorded July 7, 1970
#7-9:
Dexter Gordon - tenor saxophone
Thad Jones - trumpet, flugelhorn
Hank Jones - piano
Stanley Clarke - bass
Louis Hayes - drums
Recorded June 28, 1972 at the Van Gelder Studios; Hackenshack, N.J.
#10:
Dexter Gordon - tenor saxophone
Cedar Walton - piano
Buster Williams - bass
Billy Higgins - drums

This two-fer CD contains Dexter Gordon's early-70s releases The Panther! (1970) and Tangerine (1972). While each is unquestionably unique, they find the tireless tenor in fine shape and backed by Tommy Flanagan (piano), Larry Ridley (bass), and Alan Dawson (drums) during the July 1970 session that produced The Panther! Thad Jones (trumpet), Hank Jones (piano), Stanley Clarke (bass), and Louis Hayes (drums) cut enough material -- during their confab in late June of 1972 -- for the Tangerine, Generation (1973), and Ca'Purange (1973) long-players alike. Although Gordon was still residing in Europe, he successfully quelled his narcotics addiction long enough to return to the States to record and occasionally tour. Personal problems aside, the artist contributed significantly to The Panther! supplying all the originals. Gordon's level of performance is poignant and penetrating as he reaches and ultimately achieves a new strata of soulfulness. Nowhere is that as evident as the limber rhythmic antics of the tenor's title track to "The Panther." Flanagan's offerings throughout the entire project are refined and stylish. The pianist accurately achieves a perfect balance to Gordon's similarly sophisticated melody lines. One needs plenty of time to soak in the timeless grandeur of the pop standard "Body and Soul," or Mel Tormé's seasonal "The Christmas Song" aka "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" to appreciate their understated profundity. "Valse Robin" -- a tune written for Gordon's daughter -- has the comfort of a parent's unconditional love set to an uncomplicated swinging pace. Gordon's headier "Mrs. Miniver" and the downright jaunty rendering of Clifford Brown's "Blues Walk" are reminders of his fast and furious origins as a primary bebop innovator. Fast forward three years to the Tangerine album as the Johnny Mercer composition -- which fades out, rather than ending of its own volition -- is presented in a strong modernization. "August Blues" is a Gordon number that demonstrates his uncanny aptitude for constructing his leads simply and still drawing out optimal emotion. Of particular interest is Stanley Clarke's interplay, giving the proceedings an infusion of undeniable hipness. To the same end, "What It Was" is a funk fest propelled by Clarke's contemporary counterpoint. Wrapping things up are the supple, albeit somewhat restrained, take of Mancini and Mercer's "Days of Wine and Roses." While not quite on par with the likes of "Body and Soul," there is a charming romantic air guiding the effortless warmth of Gordon's intonations. The lineup is noticeably different with Cedar Walton (piano), Buster Williams (bass), and Billy Higgins (drums) from a get-together held a few days earlier.~Lindsay Planer