The Blessing is the final studio album by American saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman, recorded in the year 2008 and released under HighNote label the following year (2009).[1][2][3][4]
| The Blessing | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 5, 2009 | |||
| Recorded | December 12, 2008 | |||
| Studio | Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 55:06 | |||
| Label | HighNote HCD 7195 | |||
| Producer | David "Fathead" Newman, Houston Person | |||
| David "Fathead" Newman chronology | ||||
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Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [5] |
In his review on Allmusic, Ken Dryden states: "David "Fathead" Newman's last recording session took place just a few weeks before his death from pancreatic cancer. Although he obviously doesn't exhibit the power heard on his earlier recordings, like Charlie Rouse and Stan Getz before him (fellow cancer victims who recorded not long prior to their deaths), Newman more than holds his own throughout the date... Newman benefited from frequent recording opportunities with HighNote during his last years, and he went on top with this fine effort.".[5] On All About Jazz, Andrew Velez observed: "What an apt name The Blessing is for David Newman's final recording before his death ended a long career last January (2009). He played for more than a decade with Ray Charles and alongside Herbie Mann, Aretha Franklin and Roy Ayers, among many others. For this last studio session he was in fine form".[6]
Track listing
edit- "SKJ" (Milt Jackson) – 6:23
- "Someone to Watch Over Me" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 5:47
- "As Time Goes By" (Herman Hupfeld) – 4:55
- "Manhã de Carnaval" (Luiz Bonfá, Antônio Maria) – 5:27
- "Smile" (Charlie Chaplin) – 6:33
- "Romantic Night" (David Leonhardt) – 7:31
- "Chelsea Bridge" (Billy Strayhorn) – 5:59
- "Whispers of Contentment" (Leonhardt) – 5:24
- "The Blessing" (David "Fathead" Newman) – 7:07
Personnel
edit- David "Fathead" Newman – tenor saxophone, flute
- Steve Nelson – vibraphone
- David Leonhardt – piano
- Peter Bernstein – guitar
- John Menegon – bass
- Yoron Israel – drums
References
edit- ^ Jazz Depot: HighNote discography accessed November 19, 2018
- ^ Jazzlists: David Newman discography - album details accessed November 19, 2018
- ^ David "Fathead" Newman Incomplete Discography accessed November 19, 2018
- ^ Enciclopedia del Jazz; David "Fathead Newman accessed November 29, 2018
- ^ a b Dryden, Ken. David "Fathead" Newman: The Blessing: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
- ^ Velez, A. All About Jazz Review accessed November 19, 2018