Ray Charles - Doing HIS Thing, 1969 (24/96 lp rip)

Well I searched pretty far back and it appears that I never posted this here! My personal fave of the Tangerine albums. For some reason the Tangerine ABC recordings of Ray Charles have languished in obscurity due to lack of reissues for the entire digital age. Some of the other early ABC era stuff can be found, but the Tangerine albums have never been re-issued. I think Rhino or Bear Family will do a box someday soon, but until then we will have to be content with my digital transfer and restoration of this LP gem.

Unlike the majority of ABC material that I have heard, this is not over produced and dripping syrup, but is much more a continuation of the Atlantic years. The album is painfully short, but All Killa, No Filla! 

I had to go look for a back cover because I was confused why I had not bothered to keep one - it is because the back cover held no useful information, I'd guess... it may be that by the time I did this, my scanner had crapped out too. I also tried to find the full discograpy for the date, but even though my Fancourt / McGrath discography covers up to 1970, they apparently don't consider Ray "Blues worthy" past 1959. Hank, Fathead and Jimmy Lewis are obvious, but I wish I knew the rest; if anyone finds more complete session-ography, it would be appreciated.

 

Dr. John - Jazz Fest, New Orleans (198x)

Psychedelic R&B superstar Malcolm (Mac) Rebennack Jr., better known as Dr. John, the piano maestro with the prototypical New Orleans accent was a perennial performer at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans. According to the WBGO announcer Michael Bourne; Dr. John is joined by none other than David "Fathead" Newman, Hank Crawford, Charlie Miller, Renard Poche, Alvin 'Shine' Robinson, Herman Ernest, Kenneth Williams, Robert Montgomery and others. These tracks were brought to my attention by KingCake. So far, he has been unable to clearly identify the tunes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The sound quality is quite good for a nearly forty-year-old recording. I have done my best to improve its fidelity and trim/fadeout excess applause. In the end for any Dr. John, David "Fathead" Newman and Hank Crawford fan it is well-worth acquiring. 

FM Broadcast, American Jazz Radio Festival
Recorded 4th May 198x at Jazz & Heritage Festival, Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans 

Musicians:
Dr. John - Keyboards
David "Fathead" Newman - Saxophone
Hank Crawford - Saxophone
Charlie Miller - Saxophonist, Flute
Renard Poché - Multi-Instrumentalist [Guitar, Trombone etc.,]
Alvin 'Shine' Robinson - Guitar
Herman Ernest - Drums
Kenneth Williams - Guitar
Robert Montgomery - Multi-Instrumentalist
+ Others 

Tracks:
1. Unknown Title (6:00)
2. 13th Floor (10:35)
3. Forever Mine (6:28)
4. Carnegie Blues (6:30)
5. Unknown Title (5:57) 

Total Time: 35:30

Hank Crawford - Hank Crawford's Back (1976)

Hank Crawford turns his back on the cover of this sweet little set from Kudu - but the groove itself is very upfront, strongly in the best mix of funky jazz and club the label had going down into the late 70s! Arrangements are by David Matthews, who keeps things lean and mean, even when the instrumentation is fairly large - and Hank's nicely burning alto is firmly in the lead, blown with a sound that echoes back to older soul jazz modes of the 60s, but which has some smoother touches overall for the 70s. The album's got plenty of keyboards from Richard Tee, plus trombone solos from Fred Wesley, flute from Jeremy Steig, and guitar from Eric Gale - plus backing vocals on some of the cuts. © Dusty Groove, Inc. 

Kudu Records, KU-33 S1, 1976
Recorded at Mediasound in New York 

Personnel:
Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone
Fred Wesley - Trombone [Solos]
Jeremy Steig - Flute [Solos]
Richard Tee - Electric Piano [Solos]
Eric Gale - Guitar [Solos]
Gary King - Bass (#A1-A3)
Anthony Jackson - Bass (#B1,B2)
Andy Newmark - Drums (#A1-A3)
Steve Gadd - Drums (#B1,B2)
Nicky Marrero - Percussion
Frank Floyd, Ray Simpson, Zachary Sanders - Backing Vocals
David Matthews - Arranger 

Tracks:
A1. Funky Pigeon {David Matthews} (6:07)
A2. I Can't Stop Loving You {Don Gibson} (3:07)
A3. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine {Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff} (6:47)
B1. Canadian Sunset {Eddie Heywood, Norman Gimbel} (6:11)
B2. Midnight Over Memphis {John Stubblefield} (11:23) 

Total Time: 33:35 

Credits:
Producer - Creed Taylor
Engineer - Alan Varner, Alec Head, Joe Jorgensen
Engineer [Assistant] - Doug Epstein, Ramona Janquitto
Mixing & Mastering - Rudy van Gelder
Album Design - Rene Schumacher
Album Photography - Wendy Lombard 

Funky Pigeon

Hank Crawford - Roadhouse Symphony (1985)

All of Hank Crawford's many recordings for Milestone in the 1980s and '90s are worth picking up by his fans although this reasonably enjoyable outing is not one of the more essential ones. The soulful altoist is joined by Dr. John on piano and organ, guitarist Melvin Sparks, bassist Wilbur Bascomb, Jr., drummer Bernard Purdie and a five-piece horn section (Houston Person and David "Fathead" Newman get a tenor solo apiece) for a set mostly comprised of group originals plus the old ballad "Say It Isn't So" and Thomas A. Dorsey's spiritual standard "Precious Lord"; Dr. John takes a vocal on his "Tragick Magick." ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Milestone Records, M-9140, 1985
Recorded 5th, 6th & 12th August, 1985 At Quadrasonic Sound, New York City 

Musicians:
Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone, Arranger, Conductor
Alan Rubin, Randy Brecker - Trumpet
David "Fathead" Newman - Alto Sax, Tenor Sax [Solo] (#B3)
Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone [Solo] (#A1)
Howard Johnson - Baritone Saxophone
Dr. John - Piano, Organ, Vocals (#A2)
Melvin Sparks - Guitar
Wilbur Bascomb Jr. - Bass
Bernard Purdie - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. Roadhouse Symphony {Melvin Sparks} (5:48)
A2. Tragick Magick {Mac Rebennack} (4:38)
A3. Jubilee {Hank Crawford} (5:01)
A4. Say It Isn't So {Irving Berlin} (4:48)
B1. Time Is On Our Side {Mac Rebennack, Walter Bullock} (6:12)
B2. Precious Lord {Thomas Dorsey} (5:14)
B3. Sugar Ditch {Hank Crawford} (6:13) 

Total Time: 37:54

Credits:
Producer - Bob Porter
Engineer - Malcolm Addey
Engineer [Assistant] - David Sussman
Mastering - George Horn
Cover, Artwork, Design - Jamie Putnam
Art Direction - Phil Carroll
Photography - Phil Bray

Shirley Scott - Shirley Scott & The Soul Saxes (1969) [re-rip]

One of Scott’s best albums, Shirley Scott and the Soul Saxes finds the organist on a 1969 set of mostly soul covers. This was one of her few dates for the soul-heavy Atlantic label, but it certainly qualifies as a standout in the entire soul-jazz catalog. Joined by the royal sax trio of David Newman, King Curtis, and Hank Crawford, Scott plies her smooth, yet deep B-3 alchemy atop a stellar rhythmic pulse supplied by Chuck Rainey, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, and Richard Tee. And this fine contingent does not fail to please, especially on a joyous take of “More Today Than Yesterday” and the gospel-infused “I Wish I Knew (How It Feels Like to Be Free).” The versions of classics by the Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, and the Beatles aren’t bad either. ~ Stephen Cook, AMG.

Atlantic Records, SD 1532, 1969

Recorded 10^th September, 1968 (#A3) in New York City; 9^th July, 1969 (#A1,B1,B2)

and 10^th July, 1969 (#A2,B3,B4) at Regent Sound Studios, New York

Musicians:

Shirley Scott - Organ

Ernie Royal - Trumpet (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

Hank Crawford - Alto & Baritone Saxophones (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

King Curtis - Tenor Saxophone (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

David "Fathead" Newman - Tenor Saxophone, Flute (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

Richard Tee - Piano (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

Eric Gale - Guitar

Chuck Rainey - Electric Bass (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

Jerry Jemmott - Electric Bass (#A3)

Bernard Purdie - Drums (#A1,A3-B2)

Jimmy Johnson - Drums (#A2,B3,B4)

Tracks:

A1. It's Your Thing {O'Kelley Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley} (4:27)

A2. [You Make Me Feel Like] A Natural Woman {Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Jerry Wexler} (4:17)

A3. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free {Billy Taylor, Dick Dallas} (6:20)

B1. You {Ivy Hunter, Jack Goga, Jeffrey Owen} (5:40)

B2. Stand By Me {Ben E. King, Elmo Glick} (4:02)

B3. Get Back {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (4:43)

B4. More Today Than Yesterday {Patrick Upton} (3:37)

Credits:

Producer - Joel Dorn

Marty Sheller - Arranger, Conductor (except #A3)

Engineer - Adrian Barber (#A3), Bob Liftin (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

Engineer [Re-Mix] - William Arit

Photography [Backliner] - Joel Brodsky, Walter Looss

Photography [Cover] - O. Vernon Matisse

Total Time: 33:08

Hank Crawford - South - Central (1993)

All of the songs on this set except for the closing "Holy Night" (which was left over from a 1990 session) are from 1992. Altoist Hank Crawford is heard at his best on the ballads where he really caresses the melodies, giving them a great deal of soul and heartfelt feeling. Joined by guitarist Melvin Sparks, pianist Stan Hope, bassist Peter Martin Weiss and drummer Grady Tate (with an occasional hint of strings), Crawford digs into such songs as "I Should Care," "I Want To Talk About You," and "Fool That I Am," finding time to swing "In A Mellotone" and "Splanky." His alto playing is at its most vocal throughout this passionate yet tasteful set, which will be easily enjoyed by his many fans. ~  by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Milestone Records, MCD-9201-2, 1993

Recorded 11^th & 27^th August, 1992 (#1-8) At Nola Sound Studios, NYC;

February, 1990 (#9) At Giant Studios, New York City;

8^th September, 1992 Synthesizers At Malcolm Addey's Studio, New York City

Musicians:

Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone, String Arrangements (#1-9)

Stan Hope - Piano (#1-8)

Melvin Sparks - Guitar (#1-9)

Peter Martin Weiss - Bass (#1-8)

Grady Tate - Drums (#1-8)

George Caldwell - Strings (#1-8)

#9. O Holy Night

Hank Crawford - Arranger [Horns]

Lew Soloff - Trumpet

Alan Rubin - Horns

Lou Marini - Tenor Saxophone

Howard Johnson - Baritone Saxophone

Gloria Coleman - Organ

Doctor John - Piano

Wilbur Bascomb - Bass

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie

Tracks:

1. Falling In Love With Love {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (4:43)

2. I Should Care {Sammy Cahn, Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston} (6:16)

3. South Central {Hank Crawford} (8:31)

4. I Want To Talk About You {Billy Eckstine} (5:20)

5. In A Mellow Tone {Duke Ellington, Milt Gabler} (5:26)

6. Conjunction Mars {Hank Crawford} (8:07)

7. Fool That I Am {Hank Crawford} (5:57)

8. Splanky {Neal Hefti} (4:24)

9. O Holy Night {Adolphe Adam, John Sullivan Dwight} (3:28)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Malcolm Addey

Mastering Engineer - George Horn (Fantasy Studios, Berkeley)

Artwork - Phil Carroll

Photography - Frank Lindner

Design - Jamie Putnam

Liner Notes - David Ritz

Hank Crawford - Double Cross (1968) [re-rip]

Here we have another classic early album by Hank Crawford on Atlantic Records from 1968. Similar to his other recordings on that label Hank puts together a powerful soulful collection of tunes. Four are penned by him; the others an engaging selection of notable standards. He is joined by a stellar array of players including: David "Fathead" Newman, Pepper Adams, Joe Newman, Jack McDuff, Carl Lynch & Bruno Carr to nominate a few. On one tune Hank plays piano, but it’s his alto playing that is truly sensational. There is not much more to add other than just give it a spin!

Atlantic Records, SC 1503, 1968

Recorded in 1968 at Atlantic Studios, New York

Personnel:

Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone, Piano (#B3)
Joe Newman, Melvin Lastie - Trumpet (#A1-B2)
John Hunt, Fielder Floyd - Trumpet (#B3,B4)
Tony Studd - Trombone (#A1-B2)

David "Fathead" Newman - Tenor Saxophone (#A1-B2)

Wendell Harrison - Tenor Saxophone (#B3,B4)
Pepper Adams - Baritone Saxophone (#A1-B2)

Alenzo C. Shaw - Baritone Saxophone (#B3,B4)

Jack McDuff - Piano (#B1)

Carl Lynch - Guitar (#A1-B2)

Jimmy Tyrell - Fender Bass (#A1-B2)

Charles Green - Bass (#B3, B4)

Bruno Carr - Drums (#A1-B2)

Wilbert Hogan - Drums (#B3,B4)

Tracks:

A1. Double Cross {Hank Crawford} (3:18)

A2. Jimmy Mack {Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland} (2:36)

A3. Glue Fingers {Hank Crawford} (3:27)

A4. I Can't Stand It {Hank Crawford} (4:46)

B1. In The Heat Of The Night {Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Quincy Jones} (4:01)

B2. The Second Time Around {Jimmy van Heusen, Sammy Cahn} (3:52)

B3. Mud Island Blues {Hank Crawford} (5:59)

B4. Someday [You'll Want Me To Want You] {Jimmie Hodges} (3:52)

Credits:

Producer - Arif Mardin, Joel Dorn

Recording Engineer - Bruce Tergesen, Phil Iehle

Cover [Illustration & Design] - Stanislaw Zagorski

Liner Notes - Burt Burdeen, WSDM, Chicago

Hank Crawford - We Got A Good Thing Going (1972)

Of Hank Crawford's somewhat erratic output for Kudu during 1971-78, this is the album to get. The Don Sebesky arrangements for strings and an oversized rhythm section fit Crawford's soulful style well and the altoist performs consistently strong material that was also commercially successful. Of the nine numbers, Crawford is heard at his best on "Imagination," "The Christmas Song," "Alone Again (Naturally)" (the definitive version of that pop standard), "I'm Just a Lucky So and So" and "Winter Wonderland. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Kudu Records, KU-08, 1972

Columbia Records, ZK 40820, 1987

Recorded 21^st & 28^th September and 10^th October, 1972
At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone

Bob James - Electric Piano (#A4,A5,B3)

Richard Tee - Organ, Electric Piano

George Benson - Guitar

Cornell Dupree - Guitar (#A4,A5,B3,10,11)

Ron Carter - Bass

Gordon Edwards - Bass (#A1,B1)

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Drums

Phil Kraus - Bells, Vibraphone

Arthur Jenkins - Conga, Tambourine

Margaret Ross - Harp

Charles McCracken, George Ricci, George Ricci - Cello

Harold Coletta, Theodore Israel - Viola

Tracks:

A1. We Got A Good Thing Going {The Corporation} (5:59)

A2. Imagination {Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke} (3:10)

A3. Down To Earth {Avery Vandenberg, Ronald Miller, William O'Malley} (3:27)

A4. The Christmas Song {Mel Tormé} (3:43)

A5. Alone Again [Naturally] {Ray O'Sullivan} (3:35)

B1. I Don't Know {Bill Withers} (4:23)

B2. I'm Just A Lucky So And So {Duke Ellington} (6:55)

B3. Winter Wonderland {Dick Smith, Felix Bernard} (3:35)

B4. A Little Tear {Don Sebesky} (3:36)

Bonus Tracks CD:

10. Dirt Dobbler {Alfred Ellis} (3:35)

11. Betcha By Golly Wow {Thomas Bell, Linda Creed} (5:13)

12. This Is All I Ask {Gordon Jenkins} (3:44)

13. Jazz Bridge {Don Sebesky} 2:52)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Arranger, Conductor - Don Sebesky

Conductor, Arranger [Strings] - Bob James (#A3,A5,B1,B2,B3)

Design - Bob Ciano

Photography - Mort Mace

Notes:

Liner Notes, Reissue Producer - Didier C. Deutsch

Digitally Remastering - Larry Keyes, 1987 (CBS Studios, NYC)

Hank Crawford - It's A Funky Thing To Do (1971) [vinyl]

Hank Crawford slides into the electric 70s with this sweet little set of funky tracks - working in a tight small combo format with Richard Tee on electric piano and Cornell Dupree on electric guitar - and grooving in a laidback slinky funk mode that's perfect for his soulful tone on the alto sax! The groove ranges from mellow funk to gentle soul – and the album's title track is an excellent version of "It's A Funky Thing To Do", with Pee Wee Ellis joining the group on electric piano! Other tracks include "Hills Of Love", "You're The One", "Sophisticated Soul", "Kingsize Man", and "Parker's Mood". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

"It's A Funky Thing To Do" was Hank Crawford's final recording for Atlantic after a commercially successful ten-year run. The soulful altoist is backed by a funky rhythm section (either Eric Gale or Cornell Dupree on guitar, keyboardist Richard Tee, Chuck Rainey or Ron Carter on electric bass, and drummer Bernard Purdie), and Crawford as usual plays well.

Cotillion Records, SD 18003, 1971

Recorded 1971 at Regent Sound Studios, New York

Musicians:

Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone

Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis - Electric Piano (#A1)

Richard Tee - Piano, Electric Piano

Cornell Dupree, Eric Gale - Guitar

Chuck Rainey, Ron Carter - Electric Bass

Bernard Purdie - Drums

Tracks:

A1. It's A Funky Thing To Do {Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis} (3:29)

A2. If Ever I Should Leave You {Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe} (4:29)

A3. Hills Of Love {James Shaw, Carlos Malcolm} (5:13)

A4. Sophisticated Soul {Hank Crawford} (4:34)

B1. You're The One {Adolph Smith} (4:17)

B2. Parker's Mood {Charlie Parker} (6:17)

B3. Kingsize Man {Hank Crawford} (5:52)

Credits:

Producer - Joel Dorn

Recording Engineer - Bob Liftin

Remix Engineer - Lewis Hahn

Photography - Jim Cummins

Album Design - Loring Eutemey

David "Fathead" Newman - Fathead Comes On (1962) [vinyl>flac]

David "Fathead" Newman recorded this album for Atlantic during his stint with Ray Charles' band (which lasted from 1954-1964). Personnel on the album include Hank Crawford, Edgar Willis and Bruno Carr. ~ Oldies.com

 

This 1962 David "Fathead" Newman album picks up where 1961's STRAIGHT AHEAD left off. However, this release is slightly less bebop-oriented. Instead, Newman blends together hard bop with his own R&B roots. (He was a key member of Ray Charles's band for many years.)

FATHEAD COMES ON is a very bluesy album, but also contains its share of tricky melodies and ambitious arrangements. Highlights include "Unchain My Heart," which is the funkiest tune on the disc, and "Cellar-Groove," which begins with a clever train rhythm; here the locomotive sound is simulated by the repetitive hi-hat work of Charlie Persip and the boogie-woogie playing of pianist Norris Austin. The disc ends with "Lady Day," a tribute to Billie Holiday, which is, not surprisingly, a somber ballad. Hard-bop records from this era typically lean on the influence of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, but FATHEAD COMES ON is a statement unto itself, and therefore, a very compelling listen. ~ AMG.

Atlantic Records, SD 1399, 1962

Recorded 3^rd (#A2,A4,B3) & 9^th (#A1,A3,B1,B2) May, 1961 in New York City

Personnel:

Dave "Fathead" Newman - Flute (#A1), Tenor Sax (#A2,A4,B1,B3), Alto Sax (#A3,B2)

Marcus Belgrave - Trumpet (#A2,A4,B3)

Hank Crawford - Piano (#A1,A3,B1,B2)

Norris Austin - Piano (#A2,A4,B3)

Edgar Willis - Bass (#A1,A3,B1,B2)

Jimmy Jefferson - Bass (#A2,A4,B3)

Bruno Carr - Drums (#A1,A3,B1,B2)

Charlie Persip - Drums (#A2,A4,B3)

Track Listing:

A1. Unchain My Heart {Agnes Jones, Freddy James} (3:06)

A2. Cellar Groove {Norris Austin} (5:38)

A3. Alto Sauce {David "Fathead" Newman} (3:40)

A4. Hello There {David "Fathead" Newman} (4:28)

B1. Scufflin' {David "Fathead" Newman} (5:14)

B2. Esther's Melody {David "Fathead" Newman} (4:02)

B3. Lady Day {Leroy Johnson} (6:37)

Credits:

Supervisor - Nesuhi Ertegün

Recording Engineer - Phil Iehle, Phil Ramone

Design [Cover] - Loring Eutemey

Photography [Cover] - Lee Friedlander

Liner Notes - Mort Fega

Hank Crawford - Dig These Blues (1966) [vinyl>flac]

Hank kicks back and blows soulfully - working in a variety of groups with hip players that include Wendell Harrison, Ali Mohammed, Wilbur Brown, and Leroy Cooper. The overall sound is similar to Crawford's other work on Atlantic - nothing too challenging, but in a soulful mode that's always pretty tight. Titles include "New Blues", "Hollywood Blues", "These Tears", "HC Blues", and "The Crazy Saloon". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

This LP in many ways could easily be considered one of Hank Crawford's finest albums released on Atlantic records. It showcases Hank in some excellent groupings and performing some great soul jazz-jazz blues styled tunes. Highlights include the title track “Dig These Blues”, “Don't Get Around Much Anymore” and "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" featuring Marcus Belgrave on trumpet. The final tune, "Bluff City Blues," features Hank on piano, also heard on "The Crazy Saloon". Overall some deep soul grooves that clearly express Crawford's wonderful versatility and phenomenal musicianship.

Atlantic Records, SD 1436, 1966

Recorded 13th April, 1964 (A4,B1,B3); 10th December, 1964 (A1,A3,A5);
and 11th February, 1965 (A2,B2,B4) in New York City

Personnel:

Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone (#A1,A2,A4-B3), Piano (#A3,B4)

Oliver Beener - Trumpet (#A1,A3,A5)

Phil Guilbeau - Trumpet (#A1,A3,A5)

Jimmy Owens - Trumpet (#A2,B2,B4)

Marcus Belgrave - Trumpet (#A2,B2,B4)

John Hunt - Trumpet (#A4,B1,B3)

Julius Brooks - Trumpet (#A4,B1,B3)

Wendell Harrison - Tenor Saxophone (#A1,A3,A5)

Abdul Baari - Tenor Saxophone (#A2,B2,B4)

Wilbur Brown - Tenor Saxophone (#A4,B1,B3)

Leroy Cooper - Baritone Saxophone (#A1,A3-B1,B3)

Howard Johnson - Baritone Saxophone (#A2,B2,B4)

Ali Mohammed - Bass (#A1,A3,A5)

Charlie Green - Bass (#A2,B2,B4)

Edgar Willis - Bass (#A4,B1,B3)

Bruno Carr - Drums (#A1,A3-B1,B3)

Milt Turner - Drums (#A2,B2,B4)

Track Listing:

A1. Dig These Blues {Hank Crawford} (4:33)

A2. Don't Get Around Much Anymore {Duke Ellington, Bob Russell} (5:02)

A3. The Crazy Saloon {Hank Crawford} (2:58)

A4. H. C. Blues {Hank Crawford} (2:48)

A5. These Tears {Hank Crawford} (2:35)

B1. Hollywood Blues {Hank Crawford} (3:18)

B2. Baby Won't You Please Come Home {Charles Warfield, Clarence Williams} (5:46)

B3. New Blues {Phineas Newborn} (4:23)

B4. Bluff City Blues {Hank Crawford} (3:52)

Credits:

Supervision - Nesuhi Ertegün & Arif Mardin

Recording Engineer - Phil Lehle, Tom Dowd

Cover Design - Marvin Israel

Liner Notes - Nat Hentoff

Hank Crawford - Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (1974) [vinyl>flac]

"Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" by Hank Crawford was released in 1974 on Kudu Records, a subsidiary of the CTI label. On this his fourth Kudu release, Crawford showcases three original compositions alongside two Stevie Wonder tunes; "Don’t You Worry 'Bout A Thing" and “All In Love Is Fair.” Bob James handles the string arrangements and also shares electric keyboards with Richard Tee. James' arrangements don't smother Hank but instead instill a light touch of classiness, perfectly blending Crawford’s rhythm & blues phrasing. Joining him on this date is quite an impressive array of soul-jazz and modern jazz performers, including Pepper Adams, Randy Brecker, Ron Carter, Idris Muhammad, Joe Farrell, Jon Faddis, Bernard Purdie, and Hugh McCracken. As usual it is beautifully engineered by van Gelder; another significant slice of Hank’s discography to immerse even the most discerning jazz aficionado, Enjoy!

Sweet soulful jazz from reedman Hank Crawford - one of his killer Kudu sessions from the 70s - all of which really helped Hank redefine his sound! The setting here is large and full - put together beautifully by Bob James, with that sense of space for the soloist that makes his CTI/Kudu arrangements so crucial - and light years ahead of what other arrangers were doing at the time. The tracks are longish, but never overdone - and the record has all the soulful alto sounds of Crawford's 60s work at Atlantic, but with a definite 70s bent overall. James plays Fender Rhodes, Arp, and clavinet - and other players include Joe Farrell on tenor and flute, Idris Muhammad and Bernard Purdie on drums, and Richard Tee on additional keyboards. Titles include "Jana", "Sho Is Funky", "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing", "Groove Junction", and "All In Love Is Fair". ~ Dusty Groove, Inc.

Kudu Records, KU 19 S1, 1974

Recorded June, 1974 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone

Alan Rubin, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Pepper Adams, Romeo Penque - Baritone Saxophone

Jerry Dodgion, Joe Farrell - Flute, Tenor Saxophone

Dave Taylor - Bass Trombone

Bob James, Richard Tee - Keyboards

Hugh McCracken - Electric Guitar

Gary King - Bass (#A1-A3,B1)

Ron Carter - Bass (#B2)

Bernard Purdie - Drums (#A1,A3)

Idris Muhammad - Drums (#A2,B1,B2)

Ralph MacDonald - Percussion

Strings:

Lewis Eley, Max Ellen, Alexander Cores, Paul Gershman, Emanuel Green,
Matthew Raimondi, Charles Libove, Harry Lookofsky, David Nadien - Violin

Charles McCracken, George Ricci - Cello

Al Brown, Manny Vardi - Viola

Track Listing:

A1. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing {Stevie Wonder} (8:49)

A2. Jana {Hank Crawford} (5:08)

A3. All In Love Is Fair {Stevie Wonder} (4:46)

B1. Sho Is Funky {Hank Crawford, Bob James} (12:41)

B2. Groove Junction {Hank Crawford} (3:32)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Arranger - Bob James

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Design - Bob Ciano

Illustration - Pierre Le-Tan

Ray Charles Presents David Newman - Fathead (1958) [vinyl>flac]

Fathead: Ray Charles Presents David "Fathead" Newman (also referred to as Ray Charles Sextet) is the debut release of jazz saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman. Teamed with Ray Charles, ‘Bennie’ aka Hank Crawford and others; this sextet really gets down and plays a number of great tunes, three of which are written by Hank and one by David himself “Fathead”; the rest fine standards, enjoy!

The talented David Newman, who alternates on this album between tenor and alto, made his debut as a leader at this session. Since he was in Ray Charles' band at the time, Newman was able to use Charles on piano along with Hank Crawford (here called "Bennie Crawford") on baritone, trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, bassist Edgar Willis, and drummer Milt Turner. The music is essentially soulful bebop, with the highlights including "Hard Times," "Fathead," "Mean to Me," and "Tin Tin Deo." Everyone plays well and this was a fine start to David "Fathead" Newman's career. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG.

Atlantic Records, SD 1304, 1960

Recorded 5^th November, 1958 at Atlantic Recording Studios, New York City

Ray Charles Sextet:

David "Fathead" Newman - Alto Sax (#A1,A3,B3), Tenor Sax (#A2,A4,B1,B2,B4)

[Bennie] Hank Crawford - Baritone Saxophone

Marcus Belgrave - Trumpet

Ray Charles - Piano

Edgar Willis - Double Bass

Milton [Milt] Turner - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Hard Times {Paul Mitchell} (4:41)

A2. Weird Beard {Bennie Crawford} (4:48)

A3. Willow Weep For Me {Ann Ronell} (4:57)

A4. Bill For Bennie {Bennie Crawford} (4:15)

B1. Sweet Eyes {Bennie Crawford} (3:44)

B2. Fathead {David "Fathead" Newman} (5:21)

B3. Mean To Me {Fred Ahlert, Roy Turk} (4:14)

B4. Tin Tin Deo {Gil Fuller, Chano Pozo} (5:19)

Credits:

Supervision - Nesuhi Ertegün, Jerry Wexler

Recording Engineer - Tom Dowd

Cover Photo - Lee Friedlander

Cover Design - Marvin Israel

Hank Crawford - From The Heart (1962) [vinyl>flac]

Warm and laidback soul jazz from the great Hank Crawford – cut in a relaxed mode that makes the set feel like some of the late nite smokers on the Prestige label at the time! Hank's alto work is perfectly placed on the set, and he's working with fellow Ray Charles bandmember David Fathead Newman on tenor – plus John Hunt and Phil Guilbeau on trumpets, and Leroy Cooper on baritone sax – plus guitar from Sonny Forrest on two tracks. Titles include "The Peeper", "Sherri", "Sweet Cakes", "Don't Cry Baby", "What Will I Tell My Heart", and "But On The Other Hand". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Recorded in 1962 with most of the same band that made Soul Clinic, Hank Crawford turns in a simmering, deep soul performance that draws in equal parts from Ray Charles' R&B, James Moody's blues and Duke Ellington's swing. Accompanied by Texas tenor giant David "Fathead" Newman, baritone saxophonist Leroy Cooper, trumpeters John Hunt and Phil Guilbeau, bassist Edgar Willis and drummer Bruno Carr (with Sonny Forrest on guitar on three tracks), Crawford follows the soul-blues Muse into the night on this set. His four originals, including "Stoney Lonesome," "The Peeper" and "Sherri," are high points, so are his readings of Percy Mayfield's classic "But on the Other Hand," and Charles' "Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand." The bookends on the set are the Unger-Bernie-Johnson blues finger-popper "Don't Cry Baby" and the elegant, melancholy ballad "What Will I Tell My Heart." From the Heart features Crawford digging deep into the Memphis tradition for expression. His own playing is exceptional as is that of Newman. These solos are as notable for their restraint in the service of melody as they are for their depth of expression. This is an early highpoint for Crawford. ~ by Thom Jurek, AMG.

Atlantic Records, SD 1387, 1962

Recorded 8^th November, 1961 - 16^th May, 1962

Personnel:

Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone

David "Fathead" Newman - Tenor Saxophone

Leroy Cooper - Baritone Saxophone

Philip Guilbeau - Trumpet [Solo #B3]

John Hunt - Trumpet

Sonny Forrest - Guitar (#A1,A5,B1)

Edgar Willis - Bass

Bruno Carr - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Don't Cry Baby {Stellar Unger, Saul Bernie, James P. Johnson} (4:21)

A2. Sweet Cakes {Hank Crawford} (3:38)

A3. You've Changed {Bill Carey, Carey Fischer} (3:18)

A4. Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand {Ray Charles} (3:52)

A5. Sherri {Hank Crawford} (4:37)

B1. The Peeper {Hank Crawford} (3:08)

B2. But On The Other Hand {Percy Mayfield} (5:02)

B3. Stoney Lonesome {Hank Crawford} (5:42)

B4. What Will I Tell My Heart {Peter Tinturin, Jack Lawrence, Irving Gordon} (5:09)

Credits:

Producer, Supervisor - Nesuhi Ertegun

Audio Engineer - Tom Dowd, Phil Lehle

Cover Design - Loring Eutemey

Cover Photo - Jim Marshall

Liner Notes - Leo Davis

Hank Crawford - Help Me Make It Through The Night (1972) [vinyl>flac]

Help Me Make It Through the Night is one of those Hank Crawford albums: large band, many horns, funky chunky Hammond B-3, strings, and polyrhythms dropping all over the arrangements by Don Sebesky and company. This 1972 set by Crawford is an exemplary portrait of his movin' and groovin' style. With the help of Sebesky and Pee Wee Ellis, Crawford provides the deep groove side of his work without reservation. Jazz takes a back seat as the R&B pours forth all sweaty, greasy, and dripping with a raw, honeylike sweetness. With cats like Airto, Eric Gale, Cornell Dupree, Grover Washington, Jr., Pepper Adams, Snooky Young, and Richard Tee in the house, a masterful groove session was to be expected. Listeners get their money's worth after the opener, which is the title track. With the Junior Walker stinging alto countered by the Hammond, the mess is loose and the vibe is pure downtown. Other cuts such as "Imagine," "Go Away Little Girl," "Brian's Song" -- perfect string arrangement by Sebesky -- and "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" make this a date of some of the most stellar covers Crawford ever cut. There are no extra notes, but there are plenty of extra beats; the improvisation is red hot, but the strings and supporting rhythm section are out of this world. Help Me Make It Through the Night is indeed one of those Crawford records. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi

Kudu Records, KU-06, 1972

Recorded January 1972, except #B3 August 1971 at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliff, New Jersey

Personnel:

Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone (#B3)

Grover Washington, Jr. - Tenor Saxophone (#B3)

Pepper Adams - Baritone Saxophone (#B3)

Al DeRisi, Eugene "Snooky" Young - Trumpet (#B3)

Wayne Andre - Trombone (#B3)

Richard Tee - Organ (#A1,A4,B3,B4), Piano (#A2,A3), El-Piano (#B1,B2)

Phil Kraus - Vibraphone (#A1,A4,B1)

Cornell Dupree - Electric Guitar

Eric Gale - Electric Guitar (#B3)

Ron Carter - Bass (#A2-A4,B1,B2,B4), Electric Bass (#A1,B3)

Bernard Purdie - Drums

Idris Muhammad - Drums (#B3)

Airto Moreira - Percussion (#B3)

Strings Section [All Tracks, except #B3]:

Bernard Eichen, Felix Giglio, Emanuel Green,
Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Joe Malin,

Gene Orloff, Max Polikoff, Elliot Rosoff - Violin

Alfred Brown, Theodore Israel, Emanuel Vardi - Viola

Charles McCracken, George Ricci - Cello

Margaret Ross - Harp

Track Listing:

A1. Help Me Make It Through The Night {Kris Kristofferson} (5:53)

A2. Brian's Song {Michel Legrand} (3:24)

A3. Uncle Funky {Hank Crawford} (5:36)

A4. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning {Bob Hilliard, Redd Evans} (2:51)

B1. Go Away Little Girl {Gerry Goffin, Carole King} (4:21)

B2. Imagine {John Lennon} (4:07)

B3: Ham {Alfred Ellis} (3:09)

B4. The Sun Died {Ann Grégory, Hubert Giraud, Pierre Delanoë, Ray Charles} (4:09)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Arranger - Don Sebesky, Pee Wee Ellis (#B3)

Album Design - Bob Ciano

Photography - William Cadge

David 'Fathead' Newman - Fire!

I believe that this is the album pmac was referring to in his comment to the previous post; it is available cheap at Collectables so this is an mp3 copy.

"For this excellent all-around date, David "Fathead" Newman and a fine rhythm section (pianist Kirk
Lightsey, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist David Williams and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith) are joined by tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine on "Wide Open Spaces" (a tune that years earlier
Newman had recorded with fellow tenor James Clay), altoist Hank Crawford on "Lonely Avenue" and both Turrentine and Crawford on two other songs. In addition, Newman takes "Filthy McNasty" as a flute feature and is showcased on the opening "Old Devil Moon." An enjoyable set of soulful, straight-ahead jazz." AMG

A really fine live set, must have been some hot stuff to see.

Jimmy Witherspoon - Midnight Lady Called the Blues

Jimmy Witherspoon - Midnight Lady Called the Blues
Muse 5327, 1987

1. New York City Blues
2. The Barber
3. Blinded By Love
4. Happy Hard Times
5. Something Rotten In East St. Louis
6. Midnight Lady Called The Blues
7. Blues Hall Of Fame

Bass – Wilbur Bascomb
Drums – Bernard Purdie
Guitar – Calvin Newborn
Piano, Arranged By, Producer – Dr. John
Producer – Pomus*
Saxophone [Alto], Arranged By – Hank Crawford
Saxophone [Tenor] – David "Fathead" Newman
Trumpet – Charlie Miller
Vocals – Jimmy Witherspoon

WOW was this one ever a fabulous surprise! I bought this and a Shirley Scott at the same time and hit home runs on both. Not only is this a relatively unknown Spoon album but the band is mostly Mac's mid eighties aggregation that included Fathead Newman, Hank Crawford and Charlie Miller! Everything is produced, arranged and written by Doc Pomus (click for bio) and Doctor John. There is even a picture of the elusive Doc Pomus, certainly one of the two greatest white Blues and R&B songwriters ever! (see evidence here), the other guy would be Dan Penn.

If looking at those titles isn't enough to back me up on that statement take a look at the list of people who have recorded Doc Pomus songs here. Kind of staggering isn't it?

This is one terrific little jewel of an album and I'm quite pleased to be able to share it with y'all.