Phineas Newborn: The Newborn Touch

What is the "Newborn Touch"? A good question. I would use the words accurate, deliberate, strong, determined, forceful and maybe even aggressive to describe it. Of course his touch on the piano is not all these things at all times. But I do get the impression that sometimes when he plays, it is almost like a hammer pounding nails - carefully, but with enough strength to drive the thing where it needs to go.

I like other of Newborn's albums quite a lot: A World of Piano!, for instance, is one of my favorites. However this one, at first listen, doesn't seem to compare very well. It is known that Newborn had some mental and physical problems during a period in his life, where he performed and recorded very little; this record was recording during one of his down periods, I believe.

Joining Newborn on this trio album are Leroy Vinnegar (bass) and Frank Butler (drums).

This album is just ok, but to be honest, I was not that interested in it upon the first listen. I found myself losing interest at several points, and rather wishing that I was listening to A World of Piano instead... I will give this another try someday, though.