Fonzi Thornton's 'I Work For A Livin'

[Rodmann2]

I've been curious about Fonzi Thornton for some time because I've seen his name on hundreds of album credits over the years as a session vocalist (particularly on Luther Vandross' albums) but I still had no idea who he was. After a little research I see that he was a backup vocalist for Chic and in 1982 sang lead on 'I Work For A Livin' from Nile Rodgers' "Soup For One" movie soundtrack. Thanks to the magic of filesharing I was able to hear 'I Work For A Livin' today and was blown away by how good that song is! Damn! Fonzi's got a great voice and the groove is wicked.

My question to DM members is if there's an extended version of 'I Work For A Livin' available and was the song ever released as a single. My version clocks in at 3:18. I'm also curious about the whole "Soup For One" soundtrack. How is it? Is it worth trying to track down a copy of this album? If the other tunes are as good as 'I Work For A Livin' I'm sold! I have no idea why I'm just now finding out about this soundtrack!

[K-Bee]

Hi Rod.....good to see you back on the board! :D

I don't know the answer to your question but I love Fonzi Thornthon's voice as well.
About the "Soup For One" soundtrack....it's worth tracking down for sure. Some good stuff on there including teddy Pendergrass led track.
I may be able to help you about that particular album.....remind me next time we chat

[Rodmann2]

Hey KB. It feels good to be back. Shame on you for never mentioning this soundtrack to me before! LOL.

[markydefad]

Fonzi Thornton was a backup vocalist on a slew of recordings in the 1980s including my absolute alltime favorite LP....Avalon by Roxy Music. :D :D :D :D :D (5 Stars!!!)

[Rodmann2]

Thanks Markey.

No one has any info on 'I Work For A Livin'. I assumed that it was a well known track since it was produced by Nile Rodgers.

[markydefad]

I think it was just a track on the soundtrack for "Soup for One"; a minor New York love story movie starring Saul Rubinek & Marcia Strassman; most notable for it's soundtrack. But remember, this was 1982 and Chic had PEAKED . They still produced--but the hits were few and far between.

[Rodmann2]

Originally Posted by markydefad

I think it was just a track on the soundtrack for "Soup for One"; a minor New York love story movie starring Saul Rubinek & Marcia Strassman; most notable for it's soundtrack. But remember, this was 1982 and Chic had PEAKED . They still produced--but the hits were few and far between.

Thanks Marky. It's a shame that this tune (and the entire soundtrack for that matter) isn't more well known. It sure sounds like a hit to me. My only beef is that it's way too short and the breakdown lasts a little too long. It seems as if the song ends before Fonzi and his backup vocalists are allowed to really cut loose. That's why I was hoping that there was an extended remix. :cry:

[whitesockedfunk]

The Soup For One movie actually isn't that bad! Another Fonzi Thornton song called "Riding" can be heard (vaguely) in the movie. Both these tracks were supposed to appear on Fonzi Thornton's solo album that was unfortunately scrapped. It's not known if these were the only two tracks recorded or if there are a few more completed songs.

Here's hoping both Fonzi Thornton songs will appear on te upcoming Chic box set!

[PierreConstantin]

The picture is not good at all and the soundtrack has its highs (A-side basically) and lows (B-side with 3 songs already known). "Soup for one" and "Why" above all (this one not from the picture) are excellent. But the 12" versions are better, both with timings around 8 min. The B-side of "Why" is a nice senza voce version generally labeled as Chic. "I work for a living" is very nice and certainly better than the songs included in the two lp's RCA would release with Thornton (dated 80's sound, clueless production). But no 12" available (no 7" either I think). Pendergrass song and "Tavern on the green" are not memorable IMO.
Thornton wrote at least two excellent songs at the time, Ritchie Family's "I'll do my best" and High Fashion's "Feeling lucky lately" with Mauro Malavasi. Too bad his own album couldn't be released then and he had to wait one more year. Unfortunately the two albums finally issued were more RCA's vision than Thornton's and both seem completely forgettable to me.

SOUP FOR ONE OST

A1 Chic Soup For One (5:33)
A2 Carly Simon Why (4:06)
A3 Teddy Pendergrass Dream Girl (4:08)
A4 Fonzi Thornton I Work For A Livin' (3:31)
B1 Chic I Want Your Love (6:53)
B2 Sister Sledge Let's Go On Vacation (5:08)
B3 Chic Tavern On The Green (2:15)
B4 Deborah Harry Jump, Jump (4:02)