Davey Blue
David "Fathead" Newman · 2002
53 min · 8 tracks · jazz
A soothing blend of soulful melodies and intricate jazz harmonies, capturing the essence of improvisation and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Cristo Redentor — This track highlights Newman's emotive playing style through extended solos that draw from gospel influences, creating a spiritual atmosphere that elevates the album's thematic depth.
-
→
Freedom Jazz Dance — Newman's take on this classic showcases an energetic interplay among musicians, emphasizing spontaneity and rhythmic complexity that is central to jazz improvisation.
-
→
Davey Blue — The title track serves as a centerpiece of the album, featuring intricate arrangements and a lengthy exploration of melody that encapsulates Newman's artistic vision.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases strong composition and craft, with a cohesive flow but limited broader impact.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of saxophone as the lead instrument, with intricate harmonies provided by piano and bass throughout.
- Each track maintains a relaxed tempo, with several pieces extending beyond five minutes to allow for improvisational exploration.
- The final track transitions into a more upbeat tempo, contrasting with the preceding tracks that primarily focus on mellow melodies.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like emotional ebb and flow
- rich harmonies for reflective moments
- soulful warmth for cozy evenings
- climactic build towards resolution
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone singles format
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2002, Davey Blue is a significant work in David 'Fathead' Newman's discography, occurring after his long tenure with Ray Charles. At this point, Newman was solidifying his role as a bandleader while continuing to explore his distinct sound that melded jazz with elements of soul and blues.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cannonball Adderley· Stan Getz· John Coltrane
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Cellar Groove 6:10
- 2 Cristo Redentor 6:47
- 3 For Stanley 5:33
- 4 A Child is Born 5:49
- 5 Black 5:34
- 6 Amandla 4:17
- 7 Davey Blue 13:00
- 8 Freedom Jazz Dance 6:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.