David Sanborn
" Only Everything "
Decca Records

Blueswax 7
Rating 8

A Little Bit of Everything = Very Entertaining, (03/04/10)

Talk about a musician who has covered a lot of ground genre-wise, David Sanborn has played pop, soul, Blues, jazz, and even with avant-garde musicians during a career that has spanned more than four decades. Multiple Grammy award winner Sanborn returns with his twenty-fifth solo recording and picks up right where his previous '08 disc left off Here & Gone left off. This is David's second for the Decca record label, and I'm digging his newly re-founded roots explorations. Only Everything features B3 organ wizard Joey DeFrancesco, and the illustrious all star drummer Steve Gadd on each and every one of the eight tracks included. Also along for the ride are tenor sax man Bob Malach, baritone player Frank Basile, Tony Kadleck on trumpet, plus bone player Mike Davis, all of whom appear on five of the eight tunes. Other guests include vocalists Joss Stone, and James Taylor.

The opening "The Peeper" authored by Hank Crawford set a swinging foundation for the horn section to deliver heady charts as well as Sanborn's powerful alto where pocket players Gadd and DeFrancesco mightily groove on. Check out DeFrancesco's killing B3 solo where he touches on "The Hucklebuck." Sweet! The title track (the only Sanborn authored tune) is a gorgeous ballad performed in a trio setting that was written for David's granddaughter; Genevieve. Next up is Paul Mitchell's "Hard Times" which was made notably famous by David 'Fathead' Newman on his debut recording as a leader; Ray Charles Presents Fathead. This cover is a beauty that also brings back the horns. Once again Sanborn's solo is rooted to yesteryear's, and his playing is nothing short of spectacular.

Vocalist Joss Stone (who also appeared on David's previous disc) does her best to breathe new life into Let the Good Times Roll," (most notably covered by B.B., Brother Ray, and Louis Jordan,) but most of the thunder derives from the smoking B3 from Joey D and the kicking horn section. The only other vocal track is with James Taylor and the band covering Ray Charles' "Hallelujah, I Love Her So." JT is in really good form here, first smoothly delivering the intro. Then, he takes it up several notches when the horns swoop in followed by an electrifying Sanborn solo and a greasy DeFrancesco solo. JT really does deliver the goods here. This album closes with the Bluesy ballad, Harold Alden and Johnny Mercer's "Blues In the Night" which is anchored by Joey's bass vamp. Gadd's warmth also exudes from his drum kit, setting up Sanborn's emotive and riveting sax workout- whew!

Throughout this fine recording there's outstanding production work by Phil Ramone, exceptional arrangements courtesy of the underrated Gil Goldstein, the sound is superlative as well, liner notes by well known author David Ritz, plus this is one fine A-team band assembled by this all encompassing world-class team.

In summary, let's just say that Sanborn's Only Everything cashes in on the daily double exacta with his return to real American music that parlays similarly with his '08 Hear & Gone. These back to back Decca recordings should also keep most of his fan base smiling and bring some new Blues fans, too.' So what's next David? Stay tuned...

Bob Putignano a senior contributing editor at BluesWax. He is also the heart of Sounds of Blues at www.SoundsofBlue.com. Bob maybe contacted at: bob8003@yahoo.com

Bob Putignano: www.SoundsofBlue.com