Alto and tenor saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman was best known as sideman and soloist with Ray Charles. During the fifties, when Ray Charles was touring with his hits like "What'd I Say", "Talking About You", etc., he thought that his band, and his tenor man, David Newman, were so strong that they needed to record a straight ahead jazz album of their own.

That album became "Ray Charles Presents David Newman". On that album there's also Hank Crawford playing on baritone sax, and trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, bassist Edgar Willis, drummer William Peeples and of course Ray Charles on piano, playing very strong solos.

Is Ray Charles a great bebop player? Of course he is!

Tracklisting

A1 Hard Times 

A2 Weird Beard 

A3 Willow Weep For Me 

A4 Bill For Bennie 

A5 Sweet Eyes 

B1 Fathead 

B2 Mean To Me 

B3 Tin Tin Deo