// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Basic Blythe say to her date? You're doll-ightful.
| Basic Blythe | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1988 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Arthur Blythe chronology | ||||
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Basic Blythe is an album by the American saxophonist Arthur Blythe, released in 1988.[1][2] It was his final album for Columbia Records.[3] Blythe supported it with East Coast live dates.[4]
Production
[edit]Blythe was backed by Bobby Battle on drums, Anthony Cox on bass, and John Hicks, who also composed "Heart to Heart", on piano.[5][6] The arrangements for the eight-piece string section of violin, cello, and viola were by Bob Friedman.[7] "Ruby My Dear" is a version of the Thelonious Monk song.[8] "Lenox Avenue Breakdown" is an interpretation of one of Blythe's most famous compositions.[9] "Autumn in New York" is a take on the Vernon Duke standard.[10]
Critical reception
[edit]
The Boston Globe opined, "This is one of Blythe's better efforts because he's playing up to his considerable potential here, and some times he hasn't. He also has first rate sidemen who are capable of pushing him".[17] The St. Louis Post-Dispatch concluded that "the tone Arthur Blythe achieves on the alto saxophone is one of the most immediately riveting of any instrumentalist in jazz."[18] The Globe and Mail noted that "the cushioning presence of strings makes the natural edge on his playing seem even sharper and his passions more vivid."[19]
The Gazette said that "Blythe's aggressive, rootsy swinging is perfectly complemented by his fiery sound."[20] The Windsor Star said that "the strings avoid that cliche-cushioning sound used in jazz—they have a darkly astringent sound, playing almost boppishly on the theme of 'Lenox Avenue Breakdown'".[16] The Sacramento Union praised the "near-perfect" album and "musky ... earthy and rich" saxophone tone.[15]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Autumn in New York (Part One)" | |
| 2. | "Lenox Avenue Breakdown" | |
| 3. | "Heart to Heart" | |
| 4. | "As of Yet" | |
| 5. | "Ruby My Dear" | |
| 6. | "Faceless Woman" | |
| 7. | "Autumn in New York (Part Two)" |
References
[edit]- ↑ Sachs, Lloyd (April 28, 1988). "Scat singer lacks fire of humanity at Jazz Showcase". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 2.51.
- ↑ Moody, Lois (June 30, 1988). "Arthur Blythe Basic Blythe". The Ottawa Citizen. p. C6.
- ↑ Giddins, Gary (August 28, 2002). "Black Arthur's return". The Village Voice. Vol. 47, no. 35. p. 97.
- ↑ Lloyd, Jack (October 28, 1988). "Blythe Quartet at Morgan's". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 30.
- ↑ Kanzler, George (April 10, 1988). "Saxes in the spotlight on 4 new albums". The Star-Ledger. p. 4.28.
- ↑ Shinn, Jerry (May 8, 1988). "Talk About Saxy Jazz". The Charlotte Observer. p. 2F.
- ↑ McNally, Owen (April 21, 1988). "Jazz". Calendar. Hartford Courant. p. 5.
- ↑ Claypool, Bob (March 27, 1988). "Jazz". The Houston Post. p. 14J.
- ↑ Simon, Jeff (March 25, 1988). "Jazz". Gusto. The Buffalo News. p. 37.
- ↑ McCarthey, Tom (April 1, 1988). "For the record". The Salt Lake Tribune. p. 12M.
- ↑ All Music Guide to Jazz (4th ed.). Backbeat Books. 2002. p. 129.
- ↑ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. I. MUZE. p. 634.
- ↑ MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 131.
- ↑ The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide. Random House. 1999. pp. 78–79.
- 1 2 Carnes, Jim (March 10, 1988). "Arthur Blythe". The Sacramento Union. p. D2.
- 1 2 Stevens, Peter (June 11, 1988). "Jazz". The Windsor Star. p. C2.
- ↑ Murphy, Ray (March 31, 1988). "Arthur Blythe Quartet Basic Blythe". The Boston Globe. Calendar. p. 6.
- ↑ Pick, Steve (April 29, 1988). "A Blythe-Spirited Return to the Basics". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. G4.
- ↑ Miller, Mark (May 26, 1988). "Basic Blythe Arthur Blythe". The Globe and Mail. p. C3.
- ↑ Sobol, John (June 2, 1988). "Jazz's vital currents flow in four releases". The Gazette. p. E3.