Hank Crawford "Roadhouse Symphony"

Hank Crawford

"Roadhouse Symphony"

( LP Milestone Records, 1985 )

Catalog # M 9140

** Reissue OJCCD 1048-2

Personnel :

Hank Crawford - Alto Sax

Dr. John - Piano, Organ, Vocal on #2

Melvin Sparks - Guitar

Wilbur Bascomb Jr. - Bass

Bernard Purdie - Drums

HORNS :

Randy Brecker, Alan Rubin - Trumpets

Howard Johnson - Baritone Sax

Houston Person - Tenor Sax (Solo on #1)

David "Fathead" Newman - Tenor and Alto Sax (Tenor Solo on # 7)

Recorded at Quadrasonic Sound, New York City ;April 5, 6 and 12, 1985

Tracklisting :

01 Roadhouse Symphony

02 Tragick Magick

03 Jubilee

04 Say It Isn't So

05 Time Is On Our Side

06 Precious Lord

07 Sugar Ditch

Review :

All of Hank Crawford's many recordings for Milestone in the 1980s and '90s are worth picking up by his fans although this reasonably enjoyable outing is not one of the more essential ones. The soulful altoist is joined by Dr. John on piano and organ, guitarist Melvin Sparks, bassist Wilbur Bascomb, Jr., drummer Bernard Purdie and a five-piece horn section (Houston Person and David "Fathead" Newman get a tenor solo apiece) for a set mostly comprised of group originals plus the old ballad "Say It Isn't So" and Thomas A. Dorsey's spiritual standard "Precious Lord"; Dr. John takes a vocal on his "Tragick Magick."

By Scott Yanow [AMG]

By Rob