1. Girl Talk
2. Life
3. Alfie
4. I Can’t Get Started
5. Old Folks
6. Autumn in New York
7. Come Sunday
8. What a Wonderful World
9. Naima
David "Fathead"Newman – Tenor sax,
alto sax, flute
Steve Nelson – Vibes
David Leonhardt – Piano
Peter Bernstein – Guitar
John Menegon – Bass
Yoron Israel – Drums
David
Newman has had the nickname "Fathead"
for so long that he’ll never shake it off,
but he is far from being a fathead. The 74-year-old
saxophonist shows on his new album that he
is a mature and experienced player. The ten
years or so he spent as a key member of Ray
Charles’s band established him as a musician
of stature, and that stature is still evident
today.
Born
in Dallas in 1933, Newman is one of that long
line of Texan saxists who, as the sleeve-note
says (quoting James Clay) "are known
for playing in a raunchy, straightforward
manner, with lots of emotion and few frills".
Maybe Texans are not noted for frills, but
just listen to the way that Newman caresses
Girl Talk, coaxing a variety of warm
timbres out of the tenor sax. He chooses notes
judiciously and refuses to show off. His restraint
doesn’t hinder emotion but allows emotion
to be sincerely expressed. His interpretation
of Alfie is enough to bring tears to
your eyes, and he is equally impassioned on
alto sax in Old Folks.
Besides
all this, Newman contributes some sterling
flute solos on several tracks – particularly
I Can’t Get Started. The piano-vibes-guitar
sound on this and several other tunes is reminiscent
of George Shearing’s quintets. The title track,
a composition by the late John Hicks, is an
intriguing waltz with outspoken flute from
Newman. Here and elsewhere, the supporting
musicians never put a foot wrong. But this
is essentially a showcase for Newman, who
is a more considerable musician than many
critics give him credit for. He’s not just
a Texas blues blower but an all-round musician
deserving an attentive and appreciative hearing.
Tony Augarde
CD Reviews
HighNote
HCD 7166
