Vinson, Eddie “Cleanhead”
Savant, 2003, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 9.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Ballads, Blues
Performance: 4+
Sound: 3+
Score: 
O’s Notes: Eddie considered himself a sax player foremost, probably because that’s where he started. But after playing with Big Bill Broonzy in Lil Green’s touring revue, he began singing the blues. This live set contains mostly vocal blues tracks like “They Call Me Mr. Cleanhead” and “Kidney Stew” but there is ample attention given to instrumental prowess. Vinson is no less than outstanding on both fronts. When you hear him play his alto, it’s easy to see how he influenced many other sax players (Hank Crawford, Fathead Newman and Cannonball). This 1979 session is a great reflection of Vinson as a singer and sax master.
