10 replies to this topic

[Hardbopjazz]

I am listening to "I Remember Brother Ray." I am really enjoying his Newman's playing. This is the only session I have of him as a leader. Any others worth getting.



I also have a live broadcast from Berlin in November 2003 that is wonderful.

[sidewinder]

Big fan here of his playing on Lee Morgan's 'Sonic Boom' - although quite a few don't seem to like this session.

This particular Fathead compilation of the Atlantic stuff provides a good overview:

[Hardbopjazz]

Wow four session on that release. I will look for that one.

[JSngry]

For post-60s albums, procure this one by any means necessary:



and of course, same thing with this one:



Hell, I'll tell you to buy anything with Fathead's name on it, even the commercial crap.

[kh1958]

I am a big fan and was lucky enough to see him live on numerous occasions. He was always good, without fail. As for recommendations, there's a CD compilation of his two Muse albums, Lone Star Legend. A little less straightahead, but his playing on the Atlantic release Newmanism is some of his most intense on record. There's a nice date where he's paired with Clifford Jordan called Bluehead. One of his appearances at the Caravan of Dreams was released on a record called Texas Jazz Reunion (with James Clay, Hog Cooper and Cornell Dupree). Any and all of the High Note releases are worthwhile.

In my favorite live experience with David Newman, he was partnered with organist Leon Spencer at the Caravan of Dreams. The sets were electrifying, but apparently not recorded. In his last appearance at the Caravan, he led a band with the very young Roy Hargrove, Larry Willis, Walter Booker and Idris Muhammad--they were recording but it was never released.

Edited by kh1958, 10 May 2012 - 03:21 PM.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

Often found in the $1.00 bin at used record stores too.

Some of my favorites...

[JSngry]

A little less straightahead, but his playing on the Atlantic release Newmanism is some of his most intense on record.

YES! I skipped over that one for years becuase I thought it was just going to be a kinda genric 70s Atlantic FunkJazz wallpapermusic record. Big mistake!

[Clunky]

another for this

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I've got all his albums as a leader/co-leader. I wouldn't part with ANY for any reason. Even the rubbish has good points. And some ofthe stuff that looks like rubbish ain't.

His first LP for WB - 'Mr Fathead' - WAS rubbish, with some nice stuff in there. But the second - 'Front money' - only looked like rubbish. Damn fine session recorded in Dallas with Roger Boykins (g), WIlliam Richardson (d), Claude Johnson (p, bars), Adolphe Washington (cga) & Cleveland Gay (tbn). If you see this, and it'll be dirt cheap, do not hesitate!

Here's the sleeve



Looks like Billy Harper posed for the cartoon of Newman

Have you ever seen something so perfectly calculated to turn you off?

My favourites are (in alphabetical order)

Captain Buckles - Cotillion (Label M - out of print)
Davey blue - HighNote
Fathead (with Ray Charles) - Atlantic (32 Jazz outof print) (yes, get the 4 LP set if you can)
Heads up - Atlantic (oop)
Keep the spirits singing - HighNote
Lonely Avenue (with Roy Ayers) - Atlantic (Collectables twofer)
Newmanism (with Roy Ayers) - Atlantic (Collectables twofer) (Damn good twofer that!)

Oh, I'd better put in a good word for

Blue greens & beans (with Marchel Ivery) - Timeless (Dutch import) because, if Jim hasn't got it, he'll want it

MG

[mjzee]

I like all the HighNotes. One nice aspect is he largely keeps a consistent band through all of them, stretching about a decade. There was once a thread here about the joys of working bands, mostly centered on the Coltrane classic quartet; these albums show a cohesiveness and empathy. If you don't want to get all the albums, HighNote recently put out a 3-CD compilation:



I also want to put in a good word for this one, which I found pretty cheaply on Amazon:


Under A Woodstock Moon

I don't know that I've heard a bad Fathead record (the only Atlantic I have is Heads Up).

[Peter Friedman]

I am also a big fan. Here are a few other CDs that I don't think have been mentioned well worth seeking out.

Fire: Live at The Village Vanguard - Atlantic
Blue Head with Clifford Jordan - Candid
Blue Greens & Beans with Marchel Ivery - Timeless