Cam Newton: Short Films

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: May 1, 2001

Guitarist/composer Cam Newton has been receiving good press on the basis of his first two releases, while his latest outing titled Short Films, represents the artist’s freshman offering for the Arizona-based “Summit Records” label.

Mr. Newton is a classically trained musician and a – Registered Music Therapist, as this Oregon native boasts an impressive resume, having played with blues legend B.B. King, saxophonist David Sanborn and according to the companion press kit, toured or performed with one of Miles Davis’ aggregations. With this effort, the guitarist pursues an organic touch, atop lilting choruses and eloquently assembled themes!

Newton conveys a lust for life via passionate and primarily upbeat choruses that often bespeak a world beat groove amid peaceable melodies, layered strings and soprano saxophonist Michael Bard’s dream-laden lines along with the intermittent injections of Far Eastern rhythmic structures. Simply put, Newton’s training as a musical therapist is effectively illustrated via his approach to composition. Yes, much of it could be associated with “New Age” or radio friendly fare yet the artist’s often expressive, prismatic aural canvasses translate into ethereal, soothing and moderately energetic motifs. Hence, fans of “Shadowfax”, the “Paul Winter Consort” or perhaps “Oregon” may want to pay special attention to this affable and altogether attractive set.

Summit Records

Track Listing: Spirit of the Pacific Rim, Sea Of Cortez, To fight the good fight, Details at eleven, Ochoco, Across the distance, There was a time, One blue pearl (earth), The mystery of dreams, rubatoland

Personnel: Cam Newton; guitars, voice, percussion: Michael Bard; soprano, midi-sax; percussion: Rob Thomas; violin, electric and acoustic bass: Billy Oskay; viola, violin: Mark Schneider; fretless bass, bass: Israel Annoh; congas, bongos, percussion: Gary Hobbs; timbales: Denny Bixby; electric bass: Larry Bard; tablas, percussion: Roger Hadley; tablas, percussion: Joseph Rowe; tar

Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream