Mr. Fathead

Mr. Fathead
Studio album by David Newman
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
David Newman chronology
Newmanism (1974) Mr. Fathead (1976) Front Money (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

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]

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".^[5]

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

References

1. Jazzlists: David Newman discography - album details accessed November 29, 2018
2. David "Fathead" Newman Incomplete Discography accessed November 29, 2018
3. Both Sides Now: Warner Brothers Album Discography, Part 7: BS-2900 to BS-3099 (1975-1977) accessed November 29, 2018
4. Enciclopedia del Jazz; David "Fathead Newman accessed November 29, 2018
5. Henderson, Alex. David "Fathead" Newman: Mr. Fathead: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved November 27, 2018.