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David Sanborn: Only Everything

By Joel Roberts
February 5, 2010
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Only Everything is alto saxophonist David Sanborn's second straight release paying homage to one of his greatest and earliest influences,

Ray Charles

piano and vocals
1930 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Charles. While some jazz purists may dismiss Sanborn as a slick TV personality and practitioner of smooth or pop jazz, he's always had firm roots in bluesy, R&B-based jazz, dating to his early days playing with the likes of

Albert King

guitar, electric
1923 - 1992

" data-original-title="" title="">Albert King and the

Paul Butterfield

harmonica
1942 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Butterfield Blues Band. And along with his more commercially calculated recordings, he's released some excellent straight-ahead, even experimental albums over the years, notably 1991's out-of-left-field Another Hand (Elektra), which featured Sanborn in the company of

Charlie Haden

bass, acoustic
1937 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Haden,

Marc Ribot

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Marc Ribot and

Bill Frisell

guitar, electric
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Frisell, among others.

On Only Everything, Sanborn is joined by a tight, small group featuring the hard-grooving organist

Joey DeFrancesco

organ, Hammond B3
1971 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey DeFrancesco and the well-traveled drum dynamo

Steve Gadd

drums
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Gadd. The addition of a four-member horn section—

Bob Malach

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Malach (tenor),

Frank Basile

saxophone, baritone
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Basile (baritone), Tony Kadlock (trumpet) and Mike Davis (bass trombone)—on about half the tracks gives the album a 'little big band' vibe that evokes Charles' 1961 Atlantic classic Genius + Soul = Jazz.

Like its predecessor, 2008's well-received Here and Gone (Verve), Only Everything highlights the contributions of Charles' star saxophonists

Hank Crawford

saxophone, alto
1934 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">Hank Crawford and

David "Fathead" Newman

saxophone, tenor
1933 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">David "Fathead" Newman, both of whom passed away last year within days of each other. Sanborn pays tribute to his fellow saxmen here with a rousing take on Crawford's "The Peeper" and a moving treatment of Newman's signature tune, "Hard Times." Throughout, Sanborn's earthy, slightly tart alto and DeFrancesco's booming, soulful organ make a compelling pairing, with the often subdued Sanborn playing with unexpected fire and the flashy DeFrancesco showing some welcome restraint.

The album's two vocal guests have mixed results. Young pop-soul star Joss Stone has great chops, but tries too hard on "Let the Good Times Roll" while the always relaxed James Taylor fares better on a cool, low-key reading of "Hallelujah, I Love Her So."

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Track Listing

The Peeper; Only Everything (For Genevieve); Hard Times;Let The Good Times Roll; Baby Won't You Please Come Home; You've Changed; Hallelujah I Love Her So; Blues In The Night.

Personnel

David Sanborn

saxophone

David Sanborn: alto sax; Joey DeFrancesco: organ; Steve Gadd: drums; Bob Malach: tenor sax; Frank Basile: baritone sax; Tony Kadlock: trumpet; Mike Davis: bass trombone; Joss Stone: vocals; James Taylor: vocals.

Album information

Title: Only Everything | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Decca Music Group

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