DEXTER GORDON
The Panther (Prestige/OJC)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Recorded in 1970 while he was still living in Europe, The Panther is Dexter Gordon in his prime. For this date, Gordan enlisted Tommy Flanagan for the piano chair, along with Larry Ridley on bass and Alan Dawson on drums. The music on this disk, consisting of 3 Gordon originals and three standards, and sounds like the man Gordon was: big and confident. Gordon had a heavy tone as well as great sense of swing and a wonderful sense of humor. He loved to spice his playing with quotes from other well known songs, and delighted in making good music.

On this spirited session, Gordon was in fine form, Pulling off a series of inventive choruses on every song. I find, however, that the tunes I like the most are the three standards. Gordan played "Body and Soul", the song made famous by Coleman Hawkins, with loving care, caressing each note with a wonderful depth of feeling. On "The Blues Walk", Dexter struts his stuff, playing with fiery abandon. But its his masterful version of "The Christmas Song" that brings the greatest listening pleasure to me. This is the definitive non vocal version of the song and must be heard at least once in everyone's life. Gordon down right smolders in this muscular version of the classic.

Gordon always had a vibrant, authoritative approach to the tenor saxophone and "The Panther" is a great showcase for his talent. With the addition of an excellent rhythm section lead by the great Tommy Flanagan, this recording belongs in the collection of any fan of Dexter Gordon. Also highly recommended are two sessions Gordon recorded for Blue Note in the mid-1960's, Go and A Swingin' Affair.

© 2001 - Ron Saranich