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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 3rd (#A2,A4,B3)
& 9th (#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
