Blythe Spirit

For the Noël Coward play, see Blithe Spirit.

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 Arthur Blythe
Released	1981
Recorded	1981
Genre	Jazz
Label	Columbia[1]
Producer	Jim Fishel & Arthur Blythe
Arthur Blythe chronology
Illusions (1980) Blythe Spirit (1981) Elaborations (1982)

Reception

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
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[5]

Track listing

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

• • Recorded at CBS Recording Studios, New York

Personnel

• Arthur Blythe - alto saxophone
• Abdul Wadud - cello (tracks 1-4 & 6)
• Kelvyn Bell - guitar (tracks 1-4)
• Bob Stewart - tuba (tracks 1-4, 6 & 7)
• John Hicks - piano (track 5)
• Amina Claudine Myers - organ (track 7)
• Fred Hopkins - bass (track 5)
• Bobby Battle (tracks 1-4), Steve McCall (track 5) - drums