Living Legend Still Has the Goods
Jim Newsom | Norfolk, VA | 05/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes indeed! This septet lineup is the perfect setting for Fathead-trumpet, trombone and bari sax doubling, harmonizing and comping beneath and around his saxes and flute. It's been a long time since anyone's tackled "Goldfinger," and it's a treat to hear it played here with Newman's sexy soulfulness. He's always been one of the great but underappreciated jazz flutemen, and "Pharoah's Gold" and "Flankin" rank with previous jewels like "Delilah" and "The Thirteenth Floor" at the top of his recorded flute canon. On "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing" Newman's tenor sax floats atop a smooth bed of harmonic horns, and "Here Comes Sonny Man" approximates the feel of a much larger band. "Sneakin' In" does just that with its slow funk, "Suki Duki" cooks with a Native American rhythmic and melodic feel, and "It Was a Very Good Year" is a surprisingly appropriate ballad choice dripping with soul.
originally published in Port Folio Weekly, 4/11/06.
Copyright 2006 Port Folio Weekly. Used by Permission."