Search - Gary Niewood :: Share My Dream

A jewel

01/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was lucky to hear Gerry Niewood in '80s on sax and flute from Greenwich Village in NYC to Massachusetts. "Share My Dream" is a wonderful fusion/jazz sound, full of longing, romance and healing. His other solo CD "Alone" (1988) shows Gerry's broad range and I'm lucky to have a copy. His earlier LP "Timepiece" had some great compositions, but was never re-issued on CD. I sincerely hope someday, someone re-issues all of these."

Super Delicious Jazz from a multi-talented writer/musician

mrgymbeaux@earthlink.net | "the Best Bite of the Big Apple" - NJ | 03/01/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I stumbled onto this compelling CD while going through a friend's collection. I LOVE to listen to a Sultry Sax that wails into the night...and this fab collection written & performed by the artist suits my fancy absolutely! The Whole Ball O' Wax! I highly recommend it to any jazz lover!"

Cool, warm, and hot with a sax & flute master

James A. Vedda | Alexandria, VA USA | 03/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this 1985 release, we hear the late, great Gerry Niewood on soprano, alto, and tenor saxes, as well as flute and alto flute. These 13 tracks of feel-good jazz are all Niewood's own compositions. Many of the tunes sound like they were aimed at so-called "smooth jazz" radio, except they actually have jazz in them. On this album, Niewood shows far more willingness than his "pop" saxophone contemporaries to demonstrate his formidable skills, take a few chances, and make room for extended improvisations. He clearly deserved more recognition than he got.

Niewood favored light Latin rhythms on some of the tunes here, including "Hold Me" (in which he plays alto sax), "The Promise" (where he's on flute) and "The Vision" and "Sun Glow" (soprano sax). Although the album overall has a relaxed feel, he picks up the energy level on some tracks, including "Tootin' for Toots," "Come the Weekend," "Warm Inside," and "Ticket to Paradise."

To some observers, Gerry Niewood seemed to disappear from the scene after leaving Chuck Mangione's group in the mid-1970s. Actually, he recorded a few albums as a solo artist - though not nearly enough - and performed regularly in a variety of venues right up until his tragic death in a February 2009 plane crash at the age of 65. He was on his way to a gig.

Niewood was a talented player on an assortment of woodwinds, but I believe he stands out in two ways. First, he was a sax player who doubled on flute, but played flute so well that you'd be convinced it was his primary instrument. No small feat. Second, he's my favorite soprano saxophonist. As with the flute, he gave the impression that he devoted all of his energies to this instrument, and he was technically and stylistically brilliant. All of that is on display here, so grab this CD before it disappears."