Dexter Gordon – The Complete Prestige Recordings [2004] (11 x CDs)

SUNDAY JAZZ

GORDON DEXTER

Dexter Gordon – The Complete Prestige Recordings [2004] (11 x CDs)

Released in 2004 by Prestige Records (a Concord Music Group imprint), Dexter Gordon: The Complete Prestige Recordings is a definitive 11-CD box set that captures one of the most vital chapters in Gordon’s career. Spanning sessions recorded between 1965 and 1973, this collection documents the tenor titan’s post-exile resurgence, following his return from Europe and re-entry into the American jazz scene. It’s not just comprehensive, it’s revelatory. It’s a celebration of Dexter Gordon’s voice, warm, wise, and unmistakably human.

The set includes all ten albums Gordon recorded for Prestige, including The Panther, The Chase! (with Gene Ammons), Tangerine, More Power!, and Tower of Power!, among others. While Gordon is celebrated primarily for his warm, lyrical tenor saxophone tone, he occasionally stepped up to the mic, not as a crooner, but as a hip, conversational vocalist, often delivering spoken intros or playful vocal choruses in the style of Lester Young. These sessions are notable for their relaxed, groove-oriented feel, often recorded with minimal rehearsal, allowing Gordon’s lyrical phrasing and blues-drenched tone to shine. The rhythm sections are consistently strong, featuring players like Barry Harris, Cedar Walton, Jimmy Heath, and Billy Higgins, musicians who understood Gordon’s pacing and gave him room to stretch.

One of the rarities here is The Chase!, a 1970 date with Gene Ammons that revives the tenor battle tradition with warmth and camaraderie rather than competition. Another standout is The Panther, recorded in 1970, which includes the haunting ballad “Body and Soul” and showcases Gordon’s ability to balance muscularity with tenderness.

The box set is housed in a sturdy slipcase with individual cardboard sleeves for each disc, replicating original LP artwork. The accompanying booklet is rich with liner notes by jazz historian Ira Gitler, offering context, session details, and reflections on Gordon’s stylistic evolution. Audio quality is excellent throughout, remastered from original analog tapes with care.

This collection is essential for archivists and serious jazz listeners. It captures Gordon in full command of his voice, earthy, elegant, and endlessly expressive. These recordings aren’t just documents; they’re living proof of Gordon’s enduring artistry during a period often overshadowed by his earlier Blue Note years. Prestige gave him space, and he filled it with grace. (B)

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Track lists

CD01

01 Dexter Gordon - Move 9:47

02 Dexter Gordon - Home Run 5:07

03 Dexter Gordon - Dolo 6:16

04 Dexter Gordon - Lovely Lisa 7:23

05 Dexter Gordon - Affair in Havana 7:41

06 Dexter Gordon - Jodi 6:39

07 Dexter Gordon - Field Day 6:46

08 Dexter Gordon - Setting The Pace 19:08

CD02

01 Dexter Gordon - Dexter's Deck 22:47

02 Dexter Gordon - Montmartre 10:59

03 Dexter Gordon - Lady Bird 10:43

04 Dexter Gordon - Sticky Wicket 7:06

05 Dexter Gordon - Montmartre (alt) 10:46

06 Dexter Gordon - Lady Bird (alt) 12:32

CD03

01 Dexter Gordon - Sticky Wicket (Alternate) 9:42

02 Dexter Gordon - Those Were The Days 8:05

03 Dexter Gordon - Stanley The Steamer 8:04

04 Dexter Gordon - The Rainbow People 8:51

05 Dexter Gordon - Boston Bernie 7:39

06 Dexter Gordon - Meditation 8:30

07 Dexter Gordon - Fried Bananas 6:08

08 Dexter Gordon - Dinner for One Please, James 6:09

09 Dexter Gordon - Stanley The Steamer (Alternate) 7:16

10 Dexter Gordon - The Rainbow People (Alternate) 7:14

CD04

01 Dexter Gordon - Boston Bernie (Alternate) 8:32

02 Dexter Gordon - Fried Bananas (Alternate) 6:23

03 Dexter Gordon - Broadway 17:25

04 Dexter Gordon - Boston Bernie 17:49

05 Dexter Gordon - In A Sentimental Mood 8:49

06 Dexter Gordon - Blues Up and Down 19:52

CD05

01 Dexter Gordon - Rhythm-A-Ning 24:12

02 Dexter Gordon - Misty 10:11

03 Dexter Gordon - Love for Sale 21:59

04 Dexter Gordon - Fried Bananas 8:14

05 Dexter Gordon - Sophisticated Lady 7:54

CD06

01 Dexter Gordon - Rhythm-A-Ning 8:45

02 Dexter Gordon - Body and Soul 10:16

03 Dexter Gordon - Blue Monk 10:52

04 Dexter Gordon - The Panther 9:32

05 Dexter Gordon - The Panther 6:29

06 Dexter Gordon - Body and Soul 11:01

07 Dexter Gordon - Valse Robin 5:56

08 Dexter Gordon - Mrs. Miniver 7:35

09 Dexter Gordon - The Christmas Song 5:19

CD07

01 Dexter Gordon - Blues Walk 7:23

02 Dexter Gordon - Valse Robin (Alternate) 5:53

03 Dexter Gordon - Mrs. Miniver (Alternate) 7:08

04 Dexter Gordon - Blues Walk (Alternate) 6:19

05 Dexter Gordon - Polka Dots and Moonbeams 10:06

06 Dexter Gordon - Wee Dot 17:16

07 Dexter Gordon - The Happy Blues 5:31

08 Dexter Gordon - Lonesome Lover Blues (Alternate) 12:41

CD08

01 Dexter Gordon - Medley: Lover Man - I Can't Get Started - My Funny Valentine - Misty 14:02

02 Dexter Gordon - The Chase 10:29

03 Dexter Gordon - Lonesome Lover Blues 13:29

04 Dexter Gordon - Evergreenish 6:04

05 Dexter Gordon - Rhythm-A-Ning 6:36

06 Dexter Gordon - For Sentimental Reasons (I Love You) 6:52

07 Dexter Gordon - If You Could See Me Now 5:22

08 Dexter Gordon - Star Eyes 6:51

09 Dexter Gordon - The Jumpin' Blues 5:46

CD09

01 Dexter Gordon - Evergreenish (Alternate) 6:15

02 Dexter Gordon - Rhythm-A-Ning (Alternate) 5:59

03 Dexter Gordon - For Sentimental Reasons (I Love You) (Alternate) 4:50

04 Dexter Gordon - Star Eyes (Alternate) 6:15

05 Dexter Gordon - The Jumpin' Blues (Alternate) 5:45

06 Dexter Gordon - Milestones 9:07

07 Dexter Gordon - Scared to Be Alone 7:47

08 Dexter Gordon - The Group 6:29

09 Dexter Gordon - Days of Wine and Roses 8:45

10 Dexter Gordon - We See 11:26

CD10

01 Dexter Gordon - Milestones (Alternate) 7:14

02 Dexter Gordon - Scared to Be Alone (Alternate) 7:11

03 Dexter Gordon - The Group (Alternate) 6:37

04 Dexter Gordon - Ca'Purange (Jungle Soul) 9:53

05 Dexter Gordon - Tangerine 9:01

06 Dexter Gordon - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 5:56

07 Dexter Gordon - What Was It 8:14

08 Dexter Gordon - Airegin 5:08

09 Dexter Gordon - Oh! Karen O 12:12

10 Dexter Gordon - Airegin (Alternate) 5:32

CD11

01 Dexter Gordon - August Blues 9:54

02 Dexter Gordon - Gingerbread Boy 12:49

03 Dexter Gordon - Blues À La Suisse 10:31

04 Dexter Gordon - Some Other Spring 6:07

05 Dexter Gordon - Secret Love 14:33

06 Dexter Gordon - Tivoli 8:10

07 Dexter Gordon - 'Treux Bleu 17:08

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