Dial S for Sonny (album)

Dial "S" for Sonny is the debut album by jazz pianist Sonny Clark recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Clark with Art Farmer, Curtis Fuller, Hank Mobley, Wilbur Ware, and Louis Hayes.

Reception
Critic John S. Wilson, in a contemporaneous review, remarked negatively that "Art Farmer contributes some crackling solos to Dial S for Sonny, [...] but he has to fight a chomp-chomp rhythm section". The album was awarded 3 stars by Stephen Thomas Erlewine in an Allmusic review which stated: "Dial "S" for Sonny, Sonny Clark's first session for Blue Note Records and his first session as a leader, is a terrific set of laidback bop, highlighted by Clark's liquid, swinging solos... Clark steals the show in this set of fine, straight-ahead bop."

Track listing

 * All compositions by Sonny Clark except as indicated


 * 1) "Dial "S" for Sonny" - 7:26
 * 2) "Bootin' It" - 5:17
 * 3) "It Could Happen to You" (Johnny Burke, James Van Heusen) - 6:59
 * 4) "Sonny's Mood" - 8:38
 * 5) "Shoutin' on a Riff" - 6:45
 * 6) "Love Walked In" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) - 5:50
 * 7) "Bootin' It" [Alternate Take] - 5:15 Bonus track on CD

Personnel

 * Sonny Clark - piano
 * Art Farmer - trumpet (tracks 1-5 & 7)
 * Curtis Fuller - trombone (tracks 1-5 & 7)
 * Hank Mobley - tenor saxophone (tracks 1-5 & 7)
 * Wilbur Ware - bass
 * Louis Hayes - drums

Production

 * Alfred Lion - producer
 * Reid Miles - design
 * Rudy Van Gelder - engineer
 * Francis Wolff - photography