Blythe Spirit is an album by the American jazz saxophonist Arthur Blythe.[2] It was his fourth album for the Columbia label, recorded in New York City in 1981.

Blythe Spirit
Studio album by
Released1981
Recorded1981
GenreJazz
LabelColumbia[1]
ProducerJim Fishel & Arthur Blythe
Arthur Blythe chronology
Illusions
(1980)
Blythe Spirit
(1981)
Elaborations
(1982)

Reception edit

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow states: "This is one of the most well-rounded Arthur Blythe records from his Columbia period... a fairly definitive Arthur Blythe recording, showing off his links to hard bop, r&b and the avant-garde".[3] NME listed it as the 30th best album of 1981.[4]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide     [5]

Track listing edit

All compositions by Arthur Blythe except as indicated
  1. "Contemplation" - 6:54
  2. "Faceless Woman" - 6:41
  3. "Reverence" - 6:25
  4. "Strike up the Band" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) - 2:44
  5. "Misty" (Johnny Burke, Erroll Garner) - 7:24
  6. "Spirits in the Field" - 3:29
  7. "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" (Traditional) - 5:25

Personnel edit

References edit

  1. ^ Palmer, Robert (January 22, 1981). "JAZZ: 16 MUSICIANS PLAY FOR A 'ONE NIGHT STAND'". The New York Times. p. C19.
  2. ^ Santosuosso, Ernie (14 Feb 1982). "Blythe's Style Defies Label, He Plays It All". Arts. The Boston Globe. p. 1.
  3. ^ a b Yanow, S. Allmusic Review accessed July 19, 2010
  4. ^ "NME's best albums and tracks of 1981". NME. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  5. ^ Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 27. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.