ROY HAYNES
We Three

Prestige

This is Roy Haynes’ session, and he certainly is in great form, which sets up a classic recording featuring largely unsung pianist Phineas Newborn, who was influenced not only by Powell but also by Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum. Blesses with phenomenal technique, Newborn seems to have made it too much the centerpiece of his playing in his early days, a fact that is alluded to in Ira Gitler’s new set of liner notes, in which he aroused the ire of none other than Thelonious Monk by writing exactly that criticism of the young Newborn.

By the time of this recording (1958), Newborn had learned much about the judicious use of space, and was capable of playing with a fierce swing. Despite this, there were critics who still seemed to find his work superficial, a charge also sometimes leveled at the work of Newborn’s contemporary, Ahmad Jamal. Erroll Garner, too, was plying his two-handed style as well and while very well received by the public, didn’t probably get his critical due.

Newborn can slip in and out of two-handed mode, doing the Bud Powell thing of comping with the left hand while allowing his right hand to run free with melodic filigree, then just as abruptly rolling into a right-hand figure accompanied by boogie woogie bass, and on and on. Truly a remarkable pianist because of his deep understanding of the underpinnings and history of his instrument, Newborn is even more amazing in the company of Haynes, who actively spars, rhythmically,with the pianist, and bassist Paul Chambers, who is always in the right place at the right moment. In the hands of this able trio, there is never any question about the fact that they will swing hard (as evidenced by the title of the Newborn original “Sugar Ray”). The question instead is what inventive elements will each player contribute to what is already known to be a high quality, swinging performance. The answers are many and, as each player does his thing, stunning.

This is one of the most amazing piano trio CDs around. It’s good news that, although Newborn’s recorded output is small, its quality overall is beyond reproach. If you remember Newborn like a long-lost friend, now is the time to get reacquainted. If you’ve never listened to him, this disc is an excellent way to check him out in the company of musicians who are truly his peers.