Scratch My Back (David "Fathead" Newman album)

Scratch My Back
Studio album by David "Fathead" Newman
Released	1979
Recorded	March 1979
Studio	Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA
Genre	Disco, jazz
Length	37:25
Label	Prestige P-10108
Producer	Orrin Keepnews, William Fischer
David "Fathead" Newman chronology
Keep the Dream Alive (1977) Scratch My Back (1979) Resurgence! (1981)

Scratch My Back is an album by American jazz saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman, recorded in 1979 and released on the Prestige label. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} It was produced by Orrin Keepnews and William Fischer. ^[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[6]

The Spokane Daily Chronicle lamented that "disco madness has hit Newman full force." ^[7]

Track listing

All compositions by Jay Fleecewood, Tanyette Willoughby and David "Fathead" Newman except where noted

1. "One Step at a Time" – 5:51
2. "You Gotta Keep Gotta Keep Dancin'" – 6:34
3. "Two Can Do It" – 6:25
4. "Scratch My Back" (Kevin Toney) – 5:52
5. "Rock Me, Baby (Like My Back Ain't Got No Bone)" (Toney, Bessie Scott) – 5:34
6. "After the Ball" (Fleecewood, Newman) – 3:40
7. "The Buggs" (Claude Johnson) – 3:29

Personnel

• David "Fathead" Newman – tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute
• Kevin Toney – electric piano, clavinet, synthesizers
• Richard Tee – piano (tracks 3–7)
• Cornell Dupree (tracks 3–7), Eric Gale (tracks 1 & 2) – guitar
• Ron Carter – bass (tracks 1–3, 6 & 7)
• Wilbur Bascomb – bass guitar (tracks 3–5)
• Harvey Mason – drums
• Bill Summers – congas, percussion
• Tanyette (tracks 1–3), Bessie Ruth Scott (track 5) – lead vocals
• Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis – trumpet (tracks 1, 2, 4. 5 & 7)
• Earl McIntyre – trombone (tracks 1, 2, 4. 5 & 7)
• Jerry Dodgion, Kenneth Harris, George Marge – flute (tracks 1–5 & 7)
• James Buffington – French horn (track 3)
• String section: (tracks 1–6)
  • Gerald Tarak – concertmaster, violin
  • Anahid Ajemian, Frederick Buldrini, Harold Kohon, Joseph Malignaggi, Anthony Posk, Charles Veal, Marylin Wright – violin
  • Julian Barber, Alfred Brown – viola
  • Jesse Levy, Kermit Moore – cello
• Flame Braithwaite (tracks 2, 4 & 5), Ben Carter (track 5), Deborah McGriff (tracks 2, 4 & 5) – backing vocals
• William Fischer – arranger, conductor

References

1. Jazzlists: David Newman discography - album details accessed November 27, 2018
2. David "Fathead" Newman Incomplete Discography accessed November 27, 2018
3. Jazzdisco: Prestige Records Catalog: 10100, 16000, 66000, 34000, MPP 2500, 11000 series accessed November 27, 2018
4. Enciclopedia del Jazz; David "Fathead Newman accessed November 29, 2018
5. Hildebrand, Lee (October 7, 1979). "Disco Finds Newman". Oakland Tribune. p. J20.
6. David "Fathead" Newman: Scratch My Back: Listing at AllMusic. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
7. Wetzel, Carol (October 5, 1979). "Discritique". Spokane Daily Chronicle. p. 44.