Dexter Gordon - The Tower Of Power! (1969) {Prestige-OJC}
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© 1993 Prestige / OJC / Fantasy | OJCCD-299-2
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone
Dexter Gordon
(tenor sax) returned to the United States in the spring of 1969 to
create his first studio recordings in nearly a decade. Joined by James
Moody (tenor sax), Barry Harris (piano), Buster Williams (bass), and
Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums), Gordon actually documented enough
material for two long players -- Tower of Power (1969) and More Power!
(1969) -- both of which became primary staples of the artist's
voluminous Prestige catalog. An opening flourish from Heath on
"Montmartre" marks the commencement of the platter, leading into a
mid-tempo bop. Gordon and Moody swing steadily as they bounce ideas off
each other.
The arrangement is loose enough to allow Harris to subtly interject and
punctuate within the spaces left by the two tenors. His quote of Georges
Bizet's Carmen is especially tasty. Heath turns the beat around to
undergird the unit with a funkier, almost rock rhythm -- a device that
the percussionist would refer back to in short order. The lovely Gordon
original "Rainbow People" is full of warm textures revealing a
remarkably intimate rapport between he and Harris. Williams' thick and
wistful lines add a measure of empathy to Gordon's introspective leads.
As he had done earlier, Heath's slippery and mutable groove at the start
of "Stanley the Steamer" has shades of soul as the rest of the combo
remain comparatively straight for maximum effect. The exchanges and
banter created by Williams and Harris are priceless as they briefly and
creatively cajole. Heath then is given room for an all-too-brief solo
before wrapping up the affair behind the same conspicuously catchy
cadence from the top. The cover of Gene Raskin's memorable ballad "Those
Were the Days" is a fitting conclusion if not an emotional zenith for
all involved. Once again, Gordon and Williams are stunning in their
affinity for balance and timing as they complement each other --
particularly during the introduction as the bassist incorporates the
longing and yearning sonic consistency of a bow. Gordon selflessly
provides copious space to his bandmates, a quality that certainly makes
selections such as these a pleasure to revisit. Nowhere is there a
better example than just prior to the song's coda as Harris gets a final
chance to contribute. |
Personnel:
Dexter Gordon - tenor saxophone
James Moody - tenor saxophone ("Montmartre" only)
Barry Harris - piano
Buster Williams - bass
Albert "Tootie" Heath - drums
tracklist:
01 - Montmartre
02 - The Rainbow People
03 - Stanley The Steamer
04 - Those Were The Days
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