Backgrounder: Lockjaw Davis - Lock, the Fox
Tenor saxophonist Eddie “Lockjaw" Davis recorded two stupendous albums for RCA in 1966. The first was a sextet album called Lock, the Fox in June. The full album without ads surfaced on YouTube a year ago. The other, The Fox and the Hounds, was a big band album recorded in November. The band was essentially Basie's orchestra without Basie, with arrangements by Bobby Plater. Unfortunately, this one seems to have alluded YouTube completely.
Both were produced by Brad McCuen, which was weird, since McCuen was a country music heavyweight for RCA at the time and highly regarded. Here's what Gary Burton had to say about him (here). McCuen loved jazz and must have known Lockjaw or loved his horn.
Lock, the Fox is exceptional on every level—the song choices, the groove and Lockjaw's tough sass. McCuen clearly knew how to get maximum value out of recording artists. Backing Lockjaw was Ross Tompkins (p), Les Spann (g), Russell George (b), Chuck Lampkin (d) and Ray Barretto (cga). Hopefully someone will post Lockjaw's The Fox and the Hounds soon.
Until then, here's Lock, the Fox (RCA) without ad interruptions...
Both were produced by Brad McCuen, which was weird, since McCuen was a country music heavyweight for RCA at the time and highly regarded. Here's what Gary Burton had to say about him (here). McCuen loved jazz and must have known Lockjaw or loved his horn.
Lock, the Fox is exceptional on every level—the song choices, the groove and Lockjaw's tough sass. McCuen clearly knew how to get maximum value out of recording artists. Backing Lockjaw was Ross Tompkins (p), Les Spann (g), Russell George (b), Chuck Lampkin (d) and Ray Barretto (cga). Hopefully someone will post Lockjaw's The Fox and the Hounds soon.
Until then, here's Lock, the Fox (RCA) without ad interruptions...
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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Track Listing
Nina Never Knew Louis Alter Milton Drake 234; Speak Low Ogden Nash Kurt Weill 401; Midnight Sun Sonny Burke Lionel Hampton Johnny Mercer 350; On Green Dolphin Street Bronisaw Kaper Ned Washington 342; Save Your Love for Me Buddy Johnson 311; On a Clear Day You Can See Forever Burton Lane Alan Jay Lerner 323; West Coast Blues Wes Montgomery 406; Days of Wine and Roses Henry Mancini Johnny Mercer 321; The Good Life Sacha Distel 339; Oh Gee Matthew Gee 303.
Personnel
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
saxophone, tenorChuck Lampkin
drums
Russell George
bass, acoustic
Ross Tompkins
pianoLes Spann
guitar
Ray Barretto
congasAlbum information
Title: Lock, The Fox | Year Released: 1966 | Record Label: RCA Victor
About Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
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Lock, Lock, The Fox
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