Fat Man and the Hard Blues
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Fat Man and the Hard Blues
| type = Album
| artist = Julius Hemphill
| cover = Fat Man and the Hard Blues.jpg
| alt =
| released = 1991
| recorded = July 15 & 16, 1991
| venue =
| studio =
| 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.[http://jazzrealities.blogspot.com/2010/01/blacksaint-discography-this-is-label.html Black Saint Records discography] accessed May 10, 2011
Reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev2 = The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
| rev2Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite book |editor-last=Larkin |editor-first=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2006 |pages=238 }}
| rev3 = The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings
| rev3score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}{{cite book |last1=Cook |first1=Richard |authorlink1=Richard Cook (journalist) |last2=Morton |first2=Brian |authorlink2=Brian Morton (Scottish writer) |title=The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings |year=2008 |edition=9th |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-141-03401-0 |page=683}}
| rev4 = The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide
| rev4Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite book |editor-last=Swenson |editor-first=John |title=The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide |publisher=Random House |year=1999 |pages=304 }}
}}
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".Yanow, S. [http://www.allmusic.com/album/fat-man-and-the-hard-blues-r166332 Allmusic Review] accessed May 10, 2011
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
- "Otis' Groove" - 3:00
- "Lenny" - 2:33
- "Floppy" - 2:50
- "Opening" - 4:07
- "Headlines" - 2:59
- "Four Saints" - 2:45
- "Fat Man" - 5:16
- "Glide" - 4:32
- "Tendrils" - 6:18
- "Anchorman" - 4:41
- "Untitled" - 5:10
- "Three-Step" - 2:00
- "The Answer" - 2:18
- "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
References
{{reflist}}
{{Julius Hemphill}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Black Saint/Soul Note albums