LP-734

Lou Donaldson – Possum Head

Released 1964

Recording and Session Information

Bill Hardman, trumpet; Lou Donaldson, alto saxophone; John Patton, organ; Ray Crawford, guitar; Ben Dixon, drums; Cleopas "Mopedido" Morris, conga
United Recording Studio, Los Angeles, January 28 1964

12963 Possum head
12964 Secret love
12965 Frenesi
12966 Man with a horn
12967 Persimmon tree
12968 Midnight soul
12969 Bye bye, blackbird
12970 Laura

Track Listing

Possum Head	Lou Donaldson	January 28 1964
Secret Love	Fain & Webster	January 28 1964
Midnight Soul	Lou Donaldson	January 28 1964
Bye Bye Blackbird	Henderson & Dixon	January 28 1964
Laura	D. Raskin	January 28 1964
Persimmon Tree	Lou Donaldson	January 28 1964
Frenesi	A. Dominguez & L. Whitcup	January 28 1964
Man With A Horn	DeLange & Lake	January 28 1964

Liner Notes

ACCORDING to Doctor Alyce Gullatte, "The possum's growth is a mysterious saga of development. There is no animal to whom wit and cunning have been more attributed than to the opossum, more affectionately known as the possum. From the very beginning his existence and survival have been dependent upon his making the right move. in the right direction. at the right time. It is small wonder then that the term 'to play possum' implies the utilization of survival techniques that have become a part of the 'possum personality', such as cunning, finesse and possum sense".

Lou Donaldson is affectionately called "Possum Head" because of his musical cunning, finesse, possum sense and according to some — a physical resemblance. "Playing Possum", however, means to play dead and where Lou is concerned, nothing could be further from reality. By his "musical cunning" and "possum sense", Lou has managed to look and keep very much alive in the fiercely competitive jazz jungle for about fifteen years.

With the exception of guest artists Ray Crawford and "Mopedido" the personnel on this album represents the group that Lou Donaldson has kept working on a very regular basis for the past two years. They work because they play a "commercial" brand of jazz that their audiences find easy to relate to and enjoy.

The music in this album is indicative of the music that Lou plays for his audiences in clubs throughout the country. He can excite a crowd to spontaneous shouts with a heavily rhythm-and-blues flavored number and then lull them into reverie with the likes of the tender ballad Laura.

Throughout this album there is a high level of individual performance. Lou plays with even more than his usual dexterity and assurance and Bill Hardman, Ray Crawford and John Patton contribute excellent solos and ensemble support. Ben Dixon gives a rock steady foundation to the rhythm and conga drummer, "Mopedido" gives an extra lilt to things without being obstrusive.

When we received our advance copy of POSSUM HEAD we put it on the turntable with real anticipation, because a new Lou Donaldson, album is always a pleasant listening event. We weren't disappointed and you won't be either.

—AL CLARKE
Radio Station WOOK
Washington, D. C.