Mr. Fathead Explained

Mr. Fathead
Type:	Studio album
Artist:	David Newman
Cover:	Mr Fathead.jpg
Released:	1976
Recorded:	1976
Studio:	Regent Sound Studios, New York City
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	39:47
Label:	Warner Bros BS 2917
Producer:	Joel Dorn, Jonathan Dorn for the Masked Announcer
Chronology:	David Newman
Prev Title:	Newmanism
Prev Year:	1974
Next Title:	Front Money
Next Year:	1977

Mr. Fathead is an album by American jazz saxophonist David Newman recorded in 1977 and released on the Warner Bros label.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Reception

In his review for AllMusic, Alex Henderson stated: "Newman showed a lot of R&B fans that improvisatory horn solos weren't something to be afraid of. Improvisation, however, isn't something that you will hear a lot of on 1976's disappointing Mr. Fathead ... For the most part, this erratic and unfocused LP isn't soul-jazz, most of the material is either disco-funk or lightweight instrumental pop. ... for the most part, Mr. Fathead wastes Newman's considerable talents. This record is strictly for completists".

Track listing

1. "Dance With Me" (John Hall, Johanna Hall) – 3:54
2. "Groovin' to the Music" (Gregory P. Coverdale, Diane Cameron, Deborah McGriff) – 5:51
3. "You Got Style" (Ralph MacDonald, William Salter) – 4:33
4. "Ebo Man" (David Newman, Arthur Jenkins) – 5:31
5. "Shiki" (Bill Fischer) – 4:01
6. "Promise Me Your Love" (MacDonald, Salter) – 4:34
7. "I Love Music" (Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff) – 6:14
8. "Mashooganah" (Newman) – 5:09

Personnel

• David Newman – tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute
• Bill Fischer – electric piano, synthesizer, arranger (tracks 1-3, 5, 7 & 8)
• Arthur Jenkins – piano, keyboards, arranger, conductor (tracks 1, 4, 6 & 8)
• Pat Rebillot – clavinet (tracks 1-3, 7 & 8)
• Jose Cruz – piano, electric piano (tracks 2, 3 & 5)
• Ben Lanzarrone – electric piano (track 7)
  • Jim Bossy (tracks 2, 3 & 5), Burt Collins (tracks 4 & 6), Joseph Shepley (tracks 4 & 6) – trumpet Buddy Morrow – trombone (tracks 4 & 6)
• Jonathan Dorn – tuba (tracks 1, 4, 6 & 8)
• Billy Slapin – clarinet, piccolo (tracks 4 & 6)
• Richard Landry (tracks 2, 3 & 5) Richard Peck (track 5) – tenor saxophone
  • • Luis Cruz (tracks 2, 3 & 5), Jerry Friedman (tracks 4 & 7), Keith Loving (track 4) – guitar Ron Carter (tracks 1, 7 & 8), Bill Salter (tracks 4 & 6) – bass Anthony Jackson – bass guitar (tracks 2, 3 & 5)
• Nathaniel Gibbs (track 5), Jimmy Johnson (tracks 1, 7 & 8), Andy Newmark (tracks 4, & 6), Jimmie Young (tracks 2 & 3) – drums
  • Ralph MacDonald (track 4), John Rodrieguez (track 4), Dom Um Romão (tracks 1, 5, 7 & 8), David Valentin (tracks 2, 3 & 5) – percussion David Carey – vibraphone, chimes tambourine (tracks 4 & 6)
• Patti Austin (tracks 4 & 6), Benjamin Carter (tracks 3 & 7), Diane Cameron (track 2), William Eaton (track 4), Yvonne Fletcher (tracks 3 & 7), Frank Floyd (tracks 4 & 6) Denise Flythe (track 2), Deborah McDuffie (tracks 4 & 6), Deborah McGriff (track 2), Bessye Ruth Scott (tracks 3 & 7) – backing vocals
• Gregory P. Coverdale – vocal arranger (track 2)
• String section

(track 7)

• • Ariana Bronne, Elliot Rosoff, Eugene Moye, Gene Orloff, Guy Lumia, Harold Kohon, Harry Zaratzian, Julien Barber, Kathryn Kienke, Marie Hence, Norman Carr, Sanford Allen, Thomas Kornacker, Tony Posk, Warren Laffredo, Yoko Matsuo - violin
  • Selwart Clarke - viola

Notes and References

1. http://www.jazzlists.com/jz/Mr_Fathead.htm Jazzlists: David Newman discography - album details
2. http://mrmanri.la.coocan.jp/DavidNewman/index.html David "Fathead" Newman Incomplete Discography
3. https://www.bsnpubs.com/warner/warner/warner2900.html Both Sides Now: Warner Brothers Album Discography, Part 7: BS-2900 to BS-3099 (1975-1977)
4. https://enciclopediadeljazz.wordpress.com/2014/01/28/david-fathead-newman/ Enciclopedia del Jazz; David "Fathead Newman