From the Vaults of Atlantic Records (series)

House of David

by David Newman

Description by OLDIES.com:

This 1967 album was Newman's first undertaking after his split with Ray Charles. On it, he's backed by Kossie Gardner on organ, Ted Dunbar on guitar and Milt Turner on drums.

Product Description:

Personnel: David Newman (tenor saxophone, flute); Kossie Gardner (organ); Tod

Dunbar (guitar); Milt Turner (drums).

Originally released on Atlantic (1489). Includes liner notes by Alvin Baxter.

Recorded after a period of relative quiet for saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman, HOUSE OF DAVID is a very inspired release. On this 1967 record, Newman is matched up with an organ trio and together the band plays a blend of hard bop and soul jazz. Certain tracks are undeniably dated, but not in a negative way. For example, the rock-inflected numbers "One Room Paradise" and "Miss Minnie" both scream late-1960s funk, but this quality fits the tunes wonderfully. Elsewhere, Newman's thoughtful cover of the classic Bob Dylan song "Just Like a Woman" proves to be a standout.

HOUSE OF DAVID begins with the reflective ballad "I Wish You Love," featuring a lengthy tenor solo from Newman. Here his improvisational skills are not only expressive, but unique; although one can hear echoes of Lester Young and James Moody in his solo, these influences have been expertly filtered through Newman's own creative voice.