Jon Batiste is back with an intimate and captivating new live recording called Anatomy of Angels.
Batiste comes from a distinguished line of New Orleans musicians which includes the late Harold Battiste, whose accomplishments included composing and arranging for Sam Cooke, Lee Dorsey and Dr. John. Batiste can also be seen leading his band Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert every night on CBS.
Anatomy of Angels is his second recording for Verve, following his 2018 solo debut Hollywood Africans, which was produced by T Bone Burnett. The new album was recorded during a six-night residency at the Village Vanguard with Stay Human. It features three Batiste tunes, ‘Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk (a hero of Batiste) and a version of the standard The Very Thought of You that features the beautiful vocals of Rachael Price from Lake Street Dive.
With no edits or retakes, this is truly a live recording that gives a snapshot of the band at this moment. “Listen to this with open ears, eyes occasionally closed, a full heart and empty hands,” Batiste says. “Listen without distractions and it’ll gift you.”
At a tight 36 minutes, it’s almost an appetizer. It leaves you wanting more — and maybe that was the point.
Anatomy of Angels came out Aug. 2 via Verve. We’ll listen to the entire recording this Saturday morning at 8 am on First Listen.
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