Steve S. (Reno-ness) from ARROYO GRANDE, CA Reviewed on 6/7/2007...
I love David Sanborn's sax! Dig it!
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CD Reviews
Out There
Russell Diederich | Littleton, CO United States | 03/29/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a definite departure for Sanborn as he goes outside to bring us "Another Hand". Looking at who he's playing with it's very obvious why he has taken the step over into Free Jazz, Bill Frisell and Charlie Haden. Haden was the bassist for the king of Free Jazz and fellow sax player, Ornate Coleman. Coleman could go so far outside that it would hurt. These outside tunes might be a little difficult for even jazz lovers to tolerate, but Sanborn only touches upon it leaving this album very easy to listen to. The Frisell/Haden combo starts you off easy with Haden's "First Song" and Frisell's signature sound on guitar. Then comes Frisell's turn for one of his songs with "Monica Jane". Haden has a small bass solo in the middle. Lou Reed's "Jesus" is the surprise of this unique combo's reprituer as it stays pretty much inside, which must be the setup for jumping straight on over into Free Jazz with the medley bringing back memories of Coleman. Don't let these songs scare you, the first three from the combo are very well done, and easy on the ear. Plus, for every song he plays with Frisell and Haden, he plays one without them. "Weird from One Step Beyond" (Frisell appears here too) is a beautiful, soulful jazz tune. Sanborn's sax is dripping with emotion as he blows those beautiful notes. Another beautiful song is "Come to Me, Nina." Sanborn mirrors Terry Adams on the piano with great results. Sanborn kicks it in with "Hobbies", which is upbeat and flashy. There's a solo from one of my favorite pianists, Mulgrew Miller. Miller hangs out for "Dukes & Counts", another great tune. This is one of those albums where an artist wants to step outside his confines and try a little something new. I have to applaud Sanborn for taking the risk, especially to try Free Jazz. Although I'm not a fan of Free Jazz, I still find this a great album. I'm not a big fan of the medley, but the rest of the album makes up for it. Sanborn sure can blow, and proves it on this album. He also surrounds himself with exceptional musicians. For more of Frisell and Haden, check them out with Ginger Baker on "Going Home", and for more Miller with Brian Lynch on "Tribute to the Trumpet Masters", both are excellent."
Another sanborn, still great sanborn!
don prioleau | APO, AE Germany | 03/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is definitely not the same sanborn that we are used to, but he still pulls off a great CD. He went to the old school and it is reminiscent of a smoked out club in the deep south in the sixties. My favorite cut is "come to me, nina", a melancholy tune that touches you deeply. Pick up this without any presumptions and you will enjoy great music."
Pushes Boundaries
Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 08/28/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After 12 albums for Warner/Reprise, this was Sanborn's first turn with Elektra. He wanted to explore boundaries and make artistic concerns his priority. Some of this set works wonderfully. "Hobbies" with Greg Cohen's bass and the insistent drums of Steve Jordan and Don Alias' percussion is a complete gas. Sanborn does "Jesus" penned by Lou Reed, an unusual source for a jazz cover, with Syd Straw's airy vocals giving a nice sheen to the slow contemplative melody. "Cee" is a breezy 2-minute Sanborn original that bounces joyfully. "Monica Jane" is a slink jazz piece by Bill Fisell with Sanborn's distinctive alto sax leading the parade. "Another Hand" succeeds in pushing the artistic boundaries a bit without becoming too freeform. Enjoy!"
Breaking New Ground Old School!
Mike M | Hampton, VA | 09/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a Sanborn fan since around my sophomore year in college back in 1983 when a frat brother introduced me to jazz. The first artist I can remember listening to is David Sanborn. At that time, I was listening to As We Speak and Backstreet. I promptly found everything he ever made prior to this and I stopped collecting after Upfront. Another Hand (which is aptly named) is truly a gem. It has a retro sound that has put me to sleep many a nights, and has kept me company on many a lonely night. It is a throwback to some of the heavyweights of the 50s and 60s and puts me in the mind of Coltrane and Monk. Although I got away from him (and jazz altogether for the most part) in the mid 90s, this one and As We Speak are are the two that set him apart for me. As We Speak is vintage Sanborn and Another Hand is vintage Sanborn at another hand. Slowly I'm making my way back to the jazz scene and this one deserves another hand. I'm looking forward to listening to the ones I've missed since then!"
Great Noir Sound from David Sanborn
saxmaster3 | York, PA United States | 10/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Nice country-tinged noir CD from the accomplished saxophonist David Sanborn. Sanborn's other albums are a bit too "poppy" for me, but he is totally on point here. He plays the heck out of his horn and inspires some excellent solos from the session musicians as well."