Panther

Dexter Gordon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 12, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ojc
• ASIN: B000000YYZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,802 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Incarnate, April 1, 2003

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Panther (Audio CD)

"Body and Soul" is currently the most recorded American song of all time (over 1600 versions in print). Never the first choice of vocalists (though Frank, Billie, Ella, Sarah, Carmen, Diana Krall and Mr. B all left their marks on the tune), its longevity probably owes more to Coleman Hawkins' classic recording than to any other single factor. Although Tatum, Oscar, and Nat have recorded distinctive, personal interpretations, B&S is above all "the" anthem for the tenor saxophone. And of all the available tenor sax versions, it's hard to think of any that matches this particular performance by Dexter, with the possible exception of Hawk's own.

Mr. Long and Tall "sculpts" each note into a dagger, then aims it right at your heart, that trademark sweet-sour sound leaving the most agreeable, lingering aftertaste. Juxtaposing Dexter's deliberate and definitive pronouncements with the knowledge that this is, after all, music being created "in the moment" is evidence enough to convince me that between Trane's death in 1967 and the waning of Dexter's powers in the mid-80s, there simply was no better improvisor, regardless of instrument, on the planet.

Flanagan's piano is both reponsive to the moment and responsible for its creation. With utter simplicity and directness, drawing on an inspired impressionism that complements Dexter's rich classicism, Flanagan spins an accompaniment that suspends harmony, time, and movement. Despite the piece's strong harmonic progressions, the listener experiences less a chronology than a circular dyanamism. Dawson quickly catches on, moving away from time-keeping in favor of maintaining the radiant glow. If there's a more inexhaustible performance on record, I haven't found it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as any Dexter! PLUS Jaki Byard and Alan Dawson!!, December 16, 2000

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"[e-mail]" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panther (Audio CD)

The Panther ranks right up there with the best Gordon recordings, not only because it exemplifies the relaxed yet deliberate style Dexter brought to improvisation, but because of the great trio behind him. Jaki Byard (p) and Alan Dawson (d) play extremely well with Gordon, and the set is a deeply swinging and creative example of the depth of feeling and Pres-like hot/cool saunter we find in the best Gordon playing. While he has recorded "Body and Soul" elsewhere, this stands as my favorite recorded version. The other tracks illustrate Dexter's keen intelligence, sense of humor, wit, bluesiness, pure, warm tone, and swing, swing, swing! Buy it if you loved the Blue Note stuff; it is as good, and much better than the late material that made him famous to the wider public. Reminds me of a cold night at Sandy's . . .

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Panther, July 12, 2005

By 

P. Deunet (Luxembourg, Europe) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Panther (Audio CD)

I just recently came across this recording -it's a must, for die hard Dexter Gordon afficionados and newbies alike.
Dex's "Body & Soul" rivals the classic Coleman Hawkins version: just as Hawkins' playing was copied and his solos studied by countless saxplayers in the fifties and sixties, Dexter's 8 + min. performance of "Body & Soul" sets the standard for the contemporary jazz ballad: Examples of his influences can be heard when listening to contemporary cats such as Greg Osby,Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman -and the list goes on.
If you're looking for good jazz with emphasis on insightful improvisation and a good rapport between the musicians, get this album.