Lonely Avenue/Newmanism

• Artist: David "Fathead" Newman
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Jazz

Review

These two sessions from reed player David Newman -- originally issued by Atlantic in 1972 and 1974 -- accomplish the tough job of retaining musical integrity in the midst of clearly commercial leanings. The result is performances, which, at their best, are definitive R&B-driven soul-jazz from this era. Unlike too many of their contemporaries working this vein, Newman and producer Joel Dorn eschew the easy temptation to bolt on backup singers, canned string sections, and static, ersatz grooves. Instead, the music builds on lean, articulate rhythm sections to support accessible, melodic tunes, a few of which drift by in a forgettable haze, but an equal number of which have staying power and sustain interest. On tenor, Newman plays with an incisive, no-nonsense delivery that is tailor-made for these settings. On flute, he calls to mind the work of Yusef Lateef and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, both of whom were labelmates with Newman at Atlantic during this period. Vibist Roy Ayers is prominent both as an arranger and player. While he adds useful colors and textures to the rhythm section, as a soloist his work is busy. There are some classic, cavernous, chiming Fender Rhodes sounds from Pat Rebillot, along with rubbery, in-the-pocket electric bass from Ron Carter. Cornell Dupree's wah-wahed rhythm guitar is another welcome ingredient in the mix. The highlights include the intense funk of Ayers' "Fire Weaver" and his strutting "Foxy Brown"; Rebillot's "Song for the New Man," a flute feature; and Newman's own "Newmanism," the most straight-ahead track on the set. It is on this track that Newman's commercial appeal and musical integrity are in perfect equilibrium, a state attained by only a few of his contemporaries -- Grover Washington, Jr. and Stanley Turrentine being the two most notable. ~ Jim Todd, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Fuzz	Roy Ayers	David "Fathead" Newman	(7:23)
Precious Lord	Traditional	David "Fathead" Newman	(5:25)
Symphonette	Tadd Dameron, David "Fathead" Newman, Charles "Bags" Costello	David "Fathead" Newman	(8:49)
Lonely Avenue	Doc Pomus	David "Fathead" Newman	(7:13)
3/4 of the Time	Roger Newman	David "Fathead" Newman	(7:26)
Fire Weaver	Roy Ayers	David "Fathead" Newman	(7:13)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Baby Rae	David "Fathead" Newman	David "Fathead" Newman	(6:50)
Song for the New Man	Pat Rebillot	David "Fathead" Newman	(4:59)
Violet Don't Be Blue	Pat Rebillot	David "Fathead" Newman	(5:00)
Foxy Brown	Roy Ayers	David "Fathead" Newman	(4:58)
Newmanism	David "Fathead" Newman	David "Fathead" Newman	(5:36)
Sweet Tears	David "Fathead" Newman	David "Fathead" Newman	(5:25)
Let Me Know	Pat Rebillot	David "Fathead" Newman	(5:52)
Brandy	David "Fathead" Newman	David "Fathead" Newman	(6:05)

Credits

Andrew Smith (Drums), Bob Detrin (Art Direction), Ray Lucas (Drums), Roy Ayers (Piano), Roy Ayers (Organ), Bill Salter (Bass), Charles "Bags" Costello (Piano), Ralph MacDonald (Percussion), Roy Ayers (Vibraphone), David "Fathead" Newman (Sax (Soprano)), Cornell Dupree (Guitar), Roy Ayers (Percussion), Jonathan Dorn (Producer), Joel Dorn (Producer), Charles "Bags" Costello (Organ), Ron Carter (Bass (Electric)), B. Kym Taylor (Liner Notes), Bob Detrin (Design), George Piros (Mastering), David Gahr (Photography), Gene Paul (Remixing), David "Fathead" Newman (Arranger), Roy Brooks (Drums), Armen Halburian (Percussion), David "Fathead" Newman (Sax (Tenor)), Peter Lloyd (Illustrations), Basil Pao (Design), David "Fathead" Newman (Flute), Gene Paul (Engineer), Stanislaw Zagorski (Design), Ron Carter (Bass), Basil Pao (Art Direction), Lewis Hahn (Engineer), Stanislaw Zagorski (Illustrations), Pat Rebillot (Piano (Electric))