Possum Head is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Argo label in 1964 and performed by Donaldson with trumpeter Bill Hardman, organist “Big” John Patton, guitarist Ray Crawford, drummer Ben Dixon and percussionist Cleopas Morris.Lou Donaldson discography accessed December 10, 2009.
Reception The album was awarded 4 stars in an Allmusic review by Jason Ankeny who states "Patton's sublimely funky grooves effectively sand away Donaldson's wooden edges to create rolling melodic contours... Donaldson circles around the hard-driving soul-jazz sensibilities of his later records but never quite commits, instead favoring lyrical solos well-matched to standards... An engaging and underrated record".Ankeny, J. [ Allmusic Review] accessed December 10, 2009.
Track listing All compositions by Lou Donaldson except as indicated "Possum Head" - 3:15 "Laura" (David Raksin) - 4:42 "Midnight Soul" - 4:57 "Bye Bye Blackbird" (Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson) - 6:28 "Persimmon Tree" - 5:35 "Frenesí" (Alberto Dominguez, Leonard Whitcup) - 6:15 "Man with a Horn" (Eddie DeLange, Jack Jenney, Bonnie Lake) - 5:04 "Secret Love" (Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster) - 5:43
Personnel Lou Donaldson - alto saxophone Bill Hardman - trumpet Ray Crawford - guitar Big John Patton - organ Ben Dixon - drums Cleopas "Mopedido" Morris - percussion
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