David Sanborn
Here and Gone
Decca
By George W. Harris

If you had given me the choice between the Chicago Cubs winning their first World Series since 1908 and David Sanborn putting out a jump/blues disc, I’d have had the odds go with the fans at Wrigley. However, alto star who essentially was the genesis of what we call “smooth/contemporary” jazz has gone and done it; he put out a bona fide swinger in the vein of Louis Jordan. Everything on this disc works perfectly. He gets things right by selecting tunes ranging from “St. Louis Blues” and “Basin Street Blues”, and squeezes the notes like he’s twisting water out of a chamois. The backing band of Russell Malone (g), Steve Gadd (dr) and Christian McBride (b) cooks from the get-go, and are supplemented by some judicious horns, keyboards and guest soloists. Eric Clapton is positively gritty on “I’m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town”, and Sam Moore (of Sam and Dave fame) rips to shreds a moanin’ take of “I’ve Got News For You.” Meanwhile, Derek Trucks’ tears the limbs off of “Brother Ray”, and Wallace Roney gives some cool licks in on “St. Louis Blues.” Sanborn, himself, is having a gas of a time, and brings down the roof on a painfully poignant “Please Send Me Someone To Love.” This is the kind of music that got me hooked on jazz in the first place. Satisfaction guaranteed.