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Formats and Editions
1. Cellar Groove
2. Cristo Redentor
3. For Stanley
4. Child Is Born, A
5. Black
6. Amandla
7. Davey Blue
8. Freedom Jazz Dance
Reviews:
David “Fathead” Newman has been a fixture in the jazz scene for over40 years. After playing with Lowell Fulson and T-Bone Walker in his native Texas,Newman worked with Ray Charles’ band during 1954-64, developing his talentson tenor-sax, alto and flute. He also began recording as a leader in 1958, addinghis own brand of soul to hard bop settings. Through the years, Newman has appearedin many situations, sometimes backing R&B stars or leading commercial dates,but at other times showing that he is a distinctive and creative player withinthe jazz tradition.Now 69, Newman is still in his musical prime. On Davey Blue, he showshow skillful a player he is in straight-ahead jazz. Newman (who plays tenoron four numbers, and flute and alto on two apiece) is assisted by his longtimevibraphonist Bryant Carrott, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist David Williams anddrummer Kenny Washington. Newman brought in three songs (including a tributeto the late tenor Stanley Turrentine, “For Stanley”), and he alsoplays Thad Jones’ classic ballad “A Child Is Born” (a fine showcasefor Newman’s flute), Cedar Walton’s “Black,” “CellarGroove,” Duke Pearson’s eerie “Cristo Redentor” and “FreedomJazz Dance.”
The well-rounded program (which pays attention to dynamics and mood variation)is pretty definitive of how David “Fathead” Newman sounds these days.Recommended.
