David Fathead Newman • I Remember Brother Ray

 

 

Review
by Thom Jurek
If ever a musician had a pedigree for simultaneously lamenting and celebrating the late Ray Charles, David "Fathead" Newman does. Newman met Charles in 1952 and was a working member of his band from 1954-1964. This program of tunes so closely associated with Charles features the tenor saxophonist in the company of vibist Steve Nelson, John Hicks in the piano chair, Winard Harper on drums, and bassist John Menegon. Newman's signature Southern soul tone, saturated in warmth and emotion, is by turns buttery, fat, and back-porch tender. From the opening chorus of "Hit the Road, Jack," one can feel the great control Newman has over the dynamic quality of these tunes. He treats them as classics, albeit very familiar ones. He finds no need to force anything here, knowing that the tunes themselves provide all the inspirational magic necessary. Newman also stays close to the soul-drenched bone despite the sophistication of the arrangements and performances. The reading of "Georgia On My Mind," with fine solos by Nelson and Hicks, is a case in point, as is the midtempo groove in "Deed I Do," where the swinging lyric is given wings in Newman's solo. The set closes with "Them That Got (I Ain't Got You)," a wide-open relaxed stroll through Charles' brand of gospel and soul re-created with a hard bop finger pop. This is a winner through and through.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-remember-brother-ray-mw0000365854

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Reseña
por Thom Jurek
Si alguna vez un músico tuvo pedigrí para lamentar y celebrar simultáneamente al difunto Ray Charles, David "Fathead" Newman lo tiene. Newman conoció a Charles en 1952 y fue miembro activo de su banda entre 1954 y 1964. Este programa de temas tan estrechamente relacionados con Charles presenta al saxofonista tenor en compañía del vibráfono Steve Nelson, John Hicks al piano, Winard Harper a la batería y el bajista John Menegon. El característico tono soul sureño de Newman, saturado de calidez y emoción, es por momentos mantecoso, gordo y tierno. Desde el estribillo inicial de "Hit the Road, Jack", uno puede sentir el gran control que Newman tiene sobre la calidad dinámica de estas melodías. Las trata como clásicos, aunque muy conocidos. No tiene necesidad de forzar nada aquí, sabiendo que las propias melodías proporcionan toda la magia inspiradora necesaria. Newman también se mantiene cerca del hueso empapado de alma a pesar de la sofisticación de los arreglos y las interpretaciones. La lectura de "Georgia On My Mind", con buenos solos de Nelson y Hicks, es un buen ejemplo, como lo es el ritmo a medio tempo de "Deed I Do", donde la letra oscilante adquiere alas en el solo de Newman. El conjunto se cierra con "Them That Got (I Ain't Got You)", un relajado paseo por el gospel y el soul de Charles recreado con un hard bop finger pop. Es un disco ganador de principio a fin.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-remember-brother-ray-mw0000365854

Tracks:
1 - Hit The Road Jack
Written-By – P. Mayfield*
2 - Georgia On My Mind
Written-By – H. Carmichael*
3 - When Your Lover Has Gone
Written-By – E.A. Swan*
4 - Drown In My Tears
Written-By – H. Glover*
5 - Deed I Do
Written-By – F. Rose*, W. Hirsch*
6 - It Had To Be You
Written-By – G. Kahn*, I. Jones*
7 - Ruby
Written-By – H. Roemheld*, M. Parish*
8 - Them That Got (I Ain't Got Nothing Yet)
Written-By – R. Charles*, R. Harper*


Credits:
    Bass – John Menegon
    Co-producer – David Newman*, Houston Person
    Design – Junko Mayumi, Keiji Obata
    Drums – Winard Harper
    Engineer, Mixed By, Mastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
    Executive-Producer – Joe Fields
    Liner Notes – David Ritz
    Photography By [Cover] – Gene Martin (3)
    Piano – John Hicks
    Tenor Saxophone – David "Fathead" Newman
    Vibraphone – Steve Nelson

Notes:
Recorded At – Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Recorded on August 14, 2004. 24-Bit engineering, mix and master.

Label:    HighNote Records, Inc. – HCD 7135
Country:    US
Released:    2005
Genre:    Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/5724020-David-Fathead-Newman-I-Remember-Brother-Ray

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