Fat Man and the Hard Blues explained

Fat Man and the Hard Blues
Type:	Album
Artist:	Julius Hemphill
Cover:	Fat Man and the Hard Blues.jpg
Released:	1991
Recorded:	July 15 & 16, 1991
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	55:09
Label:	Black Saint
Producer:	Julius Hemphill
Chronology:	Julius Hemphill
Prev Title:	Julius Hemphill Big Band
Prev Year:	1988
Next Title:	Live from the New Music Cafe
Next Year:	1992

Fat Man and the Hard Blues is an album by jazz saxophonist Julius Hemphill recorded in 1991 for the Italian Black Saint label.^[1]

Reception

The editors of AllMusic awarded the album 5 stars, and reviewer Scott Yanow stated: "These miniatures (all under seven minutes) are most notable for their fresh melodies, logical arrangements, and spirited ensembles".^[2]

The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings called the album "both an intelligent continuation of the last decade's work and a challenging new departure."

Track listing

All compositions by Julius Hemphill

1. "Otis' Groove" - 3:00
2. "Lenny" - 2:33
3. "Floppy" - 2:50
4. "Opening" - 4:07
5. "Headlines" - 2:59
6. "Four Saints" - 2:45
7. "Fat Man" - 5:16
8. "Glide" - 4:32
9. "Tendrils" - 6:18
10. "Anchorman" - 4:41
11. "Untitled" - 5:10
12. "Three-Step" - 2:00
13. "The Answer" - 2:18
14. "The Hard Blues" - 6:40

• Recorded at Sear Sound in New York City on June 15 & 16, 1991

Personnel

• Julius Hemphill - alto saxophone
• Marty Ehrlich - soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, flute
• Carl Grubbs - soprano saxophone, alto saxophone
• James Carter - tenor saxophone
• Andrew White - tenor saxophone
• Sam Furnace - baritone saxophone, flute

Notes and References

1. http://jazzrealities.blogspot.com/2010/01/blacksaint-discography-this-is-label.html Black Saint Records discography
2. Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed May 10, 2011