Bob Dorough: Too Much Coffee Man

Too Much Coffee Man confirms singer, pianist, songwriter and arranger Bob Dorough’s long-overdue ascension from cult artist to national treasure. His second Blue Note release offers him a broader musical canvas than his customary small group formats, including, on various tracks, trombones, tuba, guitar, a battery of percussion, a vocal trio and guest soloist Phil Woods’ alto saxophone. Dorough wrote the music and/or lyrics for nine of the dozen songs, including the tender, loping “Wake Up Sally, It’s Saturday” (dedicated to his wife) and the unabashedly ardent “There’s Never Been a Day,” along with his carefree signature tune “I’ve Got Just About Everything” and “Love (Webster’s Dictionary),” the best-known of his “pop art” compositions based on found texts. Dorough supplements his own songs with the Cootie Williams jump tune “Fish for Supper” (dig the witty interpolated allusions to Tadd Dameron’s “Good Bait,”), Dave Frishberg’s mordant “Oklahoma Toad” and the opening track-the irresistible ’40s samba “The Coffee Song.” This CD is 54 minutes of pure pleasure from the planet’s youngest 76-year-old.

Originally Published September 1, 2000