Ornette On Fathead

[JSngry]

[mjzee]

Thanks for posting that. Interesting that Ornette had very little to say about Fathead that was specific. "He was a beautiful human being, and he played fantastic." Well, OK. The article seemed to be more about memories of Texas than about Fathead.

I wonder whether that's because it's actually very difficult to write about music. One may need a special talent, just like a sax player needs a special talent (and those two talents may or may not coincide in the same person). I know I find it difficult to put into words how I hear music, and it's nice to know that Ornette shares that inability. I'm reminded of a video clip that someone here posted a few months ago, of Anthony Braxton talking about Woody Shaw. Again, the same general words: a great musician, a beautiful human being. It reminds me of the importance of journalists and critics, that they do fill a vital need.

[JSngry]

Maybe, but...I thought the last two paragraphs were very specific, very about music, and very about Fathead, at least in that it was Fathead that was in mind when the thoughts were being expressed.

YMMV, of course.

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

very interesting.......

[Chuck Nessa]

Ornette on Fathead is an ugly image at this late date.

Thanks for the message.

Edited January 1, 2010 by Chuck Nessa

[Jim Alfredson]

I love Fathead. We had the honor of playing on the same bill several times. He always sounded great and the HighNote CDs are all very good. I've probably related this story before but I once saw him with Mose Alison. I like Mose ok but I was there to see Fathead. Mose would do his thing and then give Fathead a solo and Fathead would play a chorus, maybe two at the most, and it was just absolutely beautiful what he was playing but he never did an extended solo. By the 6th or 7th time I couldn't stand it anymore and after another short solo yelled out "Don't stop, Fathead!" He just smiled. I spoke with him after the show and he was very gracious. A real beautiful person.

[Chuck Nessa]

I had the pleasure of producing a reunion concert of the Ray Charles band - Fathead, Hank Crawford, Hog Cooper, Marcus Belgrave, etc.

After the gig, at a party Hank kissed me on the friggin' lips to thank me for the experience. Fathead took two steps back.

[mjzee]

I had the pleasure of producing a reunion concert of the Ray Charles band - Fathead, Hank Crawford, Hog Cooper, Marcus Belgrave, etc.

After the gig, at a party Hank kissed me on the friggin' lips to thank me for the experience. Fathead took two steps back.

That must have been a great show! (The music, not the kiss. Get a room!) Do tapes exist?

[Patrick]

I had the pleasure of producing a reunion concert of the Ray Charles band - Fathead, Hank Crawford, Hog Cooper, Marcus Belgrave, etc.

After the gig, at a party Hank kissed me on the friggin' lips to thank me for the experience. Fathead took two steps back.

That must have been a great show! (The music, not the kiss. Get a room!) Do tapes exist?

...of the music.

[Dave James]

Geez, my first thought when I saw the title of this thread was that I could get an Ornette Coleman Fathead. You know, one of those life sized things you can stick on your wall. I think I may need professional help.