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We Say...
Newman died of pancreatic cancer less than six weeks after this session, but the compromises made on his behalf don't deter from what emerges as a dignified and durable swan song. There is ample support from a backing quintet (vibes, piano, guitar and rhythm section with no other horn) that frequently lay out the ambience and head arrangements before "Fathead" chimes in. Even an unsentimental assessment would concede he sounds flush; less torrid than his vintage work with Ray Charles, but with a deep, rich tone, heavy on the vibrato. This is wonderfully suited to well-known mid-tempo ballads such as "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "Smile," both of them as luxurious as a massage. "Time Goes By" is another burnished beauty — you'd need a snorkel and fins to get to the bottom of Newman's tone. The band is likewise in fine fettle, providing a deft, linear drive to Milt Jackson's "SKJ" and providing some sharp solos, highlighted by Steve Nelson's vibes on Luiz Bonfa's "Manha de Carnival," Peter Bernstein's perfectly lofted continuation of Newman on "Smile," and drummer Yoron Israel's crisp energy during "Whispers of Contentment," one of two excellent compositions by pianist David Leonhardt. The only real misstep is a cover of Billy Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge," forever associated with tenor Ben Webster, whose tone Newman increasingly approximated, so why belabor the comparison? Fortunately, Newman's own choice for last call, an original entitled "The Blessing" that he performs on flute, is imbued with the spunky soul and infectious lilt that characterized his long and successful career, right down to this final track.
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They Say...
David "Fathead" Newman's final recording session took place just a few weeks before his death from pancreatic cancer. Although he obviously doesn't exhibit the power heard on his earlier recordings, like Charlie Rouse and Stan Getz before him (fellow cancer victims who recorded not long prior to their deaths), Newman more than holds his own throughout the date, joined by vibraphonist Steve Nelson, pianist David Leonhart, guitarist Peter Bernstein, bassist John Menegon, and drummer Yoron Israel. In the opener, Milt Jackson's tasty blues "SKJ," Newman takes a soft-spoken approach that follows the old adage that less is often more. His lush take of "As Time Goes By" features Nelson first, then his heartfelt vibrato at the end of each line adds a sentimental air. The fresh, exotic approach to Charlie Chaplin's tearjerker ballad "Smile" has the flavor of a tropical island paradise. "Chelsea Bridge" seems all but owned by the late tenor giant Ben Webster, so Newman simultaneously salutes his predecessor while putting a bit of his own touch to it. The final track, "The Blessing," an original by the leader, is a funky feature for his flute, with just a touch of gospel. Newman benefited from frequent recording opportunities with HighNote during his last years, and he went on top with this fine effort.
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| 01. |  |
SKJ |
6:23 |
|
| 02. | |
SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME |
5:47 |
|
| 03. | |
AS TIME GOES BY |
4:55 |
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| 04. | |
MANHA DE CARNIVAL |
5:27 |
|
| 05. | |
SMILE |
6:33 |
|
| 06. | |
ROMANTIC NIGHT |
7:31 |
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| 07. | |
CHELSEA BRIDGE |
5:59 |
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| 08. | |
WHISPERS OF CONTENTMENT |
5:24 |
|
| 09. | |
THE BLESSING |
7:07 |
|
09 Total Tracks, 55:06 Total Length
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Credits
- Houston Person - Producer // Steve Nelson - Vibraphone // David Leonhardt - Piano // David Leonhardt - Piano // Peter Bernstein - Guitar // Peter Bernstein - Guitar // Peter Bernstein - Guitar // Joe Fields - Executive Producer // Rudy Van Gelder - Engineer // Rudy Van Gelder - Mastering // Rudy Van Gelder - Mixing // Yoron Israel - Drums // David "Fathead" Newman - Flute // David "Fathead" Newman - Sax (Tenor) // David "Fathead" Newman - Producer // Maureen Sickler - Assistant Engineer // Maureen Sickler - Mixing Assistant // Maureen Sickler - Mastering Assistant // Andrew Lepley - Cover Photo // John Menegon - Bass // Keiji Obata - Design // Nick Ruechel - Photography // Ray Osnato - Liner Notes
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