Closer

David Sanborn | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 11, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve
• ASIN: B0006M4UAS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,211 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

David Sanborn has never sounded better - once again he redefines the sound of the saxophone in contemporary music as he did in the pop world in the 70's and contemporary jazz in the 80's. Closer is the brilliant follow-up to the legendary saxophonist's Verve debut timeagain which scanned over 100,000 units and had the #1 smooth jazz track of the year with 'Comin' Home Baby'. The eclectic selection of songs runs the gamut of modern jazz and popular music, from Horace Silver's 'Senor Blues' to Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile', the first smooth jazz radio focus track 'Tin Tin Deo', James Taylor's 'Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight' featuring Verve artist Lizz Wright, plus Sanborn's own 'Sofia' and 'Another Time, Another Place'.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty cool (and mostly mellow), January 11, 2005

By 

William Merrill "eclecticist" (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Closer (Audio CD)

(4 & 1/2 stars) Midway through the opening cut on David Sanborn's new CD Closer, a snazzy uptempo number called "Tin Tin Deo," there comes a frisky, poppin' percussion break. The great Mike Mainieri is on vibes, with Luis Quintero on percussion. It's a hot little moment that's an indicator of good things to come, a very accurate indicator of the high quality of music on Closer, as it turns out. However, the brisk pace of "Tin Tin Deo" is not representative of the majority of the remaining songs, as David takes a subtler, lower key approach to the tunes. Typical is a lush Sanborn original, "Another Time, Another Place," where his sax sings and sighs against a velvety backdrop of keyboards and rhythm section. With an occasional exception like a lively cover of Abdullah Ibrahim's "Capetown Fringe," most of the songs on Closer are in a blue mood, but one that's deliciously blue. One of the most interesting songs on the CD is a version of James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," with Lizz Wright doing an excellent job on the vocals. (It's the album's lone vocal cut). The original Taylor song featured an integral sax solo by Michael Brecker, not David Sanborn, although Mr. S. did play on several other JT songs, including "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)." Anyway, Sanborn and Wright do the beautiful, sad song proud. I'm sure Taylor loved this version if he's heard it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music for Seduction, March 28, 2005

By 

Marc deVilliers (Dallas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Closer (Audio CD)

A real gem this disc. To my ears, the words `control, lyricism and splendor' speak out of this work. A delightful record, Sanborn's constraint shines through. Without doubt, David Sanborn's best recording yet. Not perhaps music for the die-hard avant garde lovers, but in its own way a veritable wall of luxurious and wonderful sounds. Christian McBride keeps it all together and the guitar punctuation of Russell Malone keeps it all neat and punchy. Sanborn's reedy tone is an acquired taste, a touch to harsh for me, but it leads where the music has to go. One cannot say enough about Lizz Wright. There are too many adjectives to do justice to her sound. Again, controlled, but powerful and melodious, she might well be the greatest of all time. I would love to hear a full album of Sanborn and Wright, the support they lend to each other is perfection. One quibble, sound balance is off a tad at times; off enough drown that wondrous voice. Definitely this recording deserves a five star rating.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Dave, December 9, 2005

By 

Shannon Freeman "discerning spirit" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Closer (Audio CD)

Closer begins with a lively tune with an unfortunate title; that, however, does not detract from the catchy beat and melody. This number is one that will cause one to hit the repeat button. As for the remainder of the CD, it hums along nicely, following a pattern of predictable, yet enjoyable Sanborn. Track nine is another one that gets under you. I would definitely recommend this as an introduction to David Sanborn or for the loyal fan.