Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » David "Fathead" Newman: Diamondhead

169

David "Fathead" Newman: Diamondhead

By

Sign in to view read count
David "Fathead" Newman: Diamondhead
It's quite possible that David "Fathead" Newman is a soulster at heart. All three of his original compositions for this session are heavily weighed towards a breezing 1960s retro sound, awash with R&B fluids. For the rest, though, he's emphatically a jazzman, as can be heard whenever Diamondhead (to give David his new nickname) plays a New York club date.

Newman is still best known for his extended stint with Ray Charles, even as he reaches his 75th year. Since signing to the HighNote label in 2001, Newman has released virtually an album each year, all co-produced with fellow tenor man Houston Person. The 'head (Fat or Diamond, take your pick) is at his most enveloping when seducing this particular horn and his best solos here emanate from down in those lower reaches. The flute is usually deployed during those nostalgic moments when the leader coasts back four decades to when he first hooked up with trombonist Curtis Fuller and pianist Cedar Walton, his fellow veterans in this impressive quintet. The remaining rhythm team's much younger, but Newman has even known bassman Peter Washington and drummer Yoron Israel for between fifteen and twenty years.

It's a straight-ahead sequence of tunes, although the wretched Billy Joel's "New York State Of Mind" pops up as track three, a ballad that has Fathead soloing on both flute and tenor. Walton provides "Cedar's Blues" and this has a garrulous momentum, with a blustery Fuller solo. It's back to balladry with Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark," featuring a caressing tenor solo, then a detailed, sensitive piano interlude. The Diamondhead isn't really attempting any innovation, so he can hardly be dismissed for this album's lack of surprises. On the level of a relaxed, inviting glide, it's a very organic, warm-hearted set.

Track Listing

Diamondhead; Can't We Be Friends?; New York State Of Mind; Cedar's Blues; My Full House; Skylark; Star Eyes; Mama-Lou; It's You Or No One.

Personnel

David "Fathead" Newman
saxophone, tenor

David "Fathead" Newman: alto and tenor saxophones, flute; Curtis Fuller: trombone; Cedar Walton: piano; Peter Washington: bass; Yoron Israel: drums.

Album information

Title: Diamondhead | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: HighNote Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.