It goes without saying that Julian "Cannonball" Adderley was one of the best blues players in jazz. Just ask his ex-boss Miles Davis. This 1960 date features the musician with his brother, cornetist Nat, bassist Sam Jones, drummer Louis Hayes, and either Bobby Timmons or Barry Harris on piano. Simply put, this is a textbook on how to swing the blues, whether on ballads such as "Easy Living" and George Gershwin's "Soon," or on the dancing hard bop number, "Work Song," Timmons's gospel-tinged "Dat Dere" and Duke Pearson's melodic classic, "Jeannine." Cannonball's sax lines combine the best of Benny Carter and Charlie Parker, contrasted by his brother's in-the-pocket cornet solos. The title track reveals the down-home roots of this Florida-born musician, who always carried the South in him. --Eugene Holley Jr. Amazon.com
 |  | Prime material, prime performances |  |
All the feeling of a live gig is conveyed in this 1960 studio recording, thanks to expressive performances by the whole quintet. You'd be hard pressed to find a better jazz CD at this price (at this writing, $7.97).
There's never been any doubt about Cannonball's mastery of the blues, ably demonstrated here on the title track and on "Dat Dere." But he could also swing ("Del Sasser" and "Soon") and brilliantly interpret ballads ("Easy Living" will be his most memorable performance of this set for many listeners). Whatever the style, his improvisational ideas were musically interesting, even during passages that showed off his impressive technique.
One of the best characteristics of the Adderley brothers' quintets of this era was the ensemble sound they created, combining harmony and counterpoint with clever licks that elevated the group beyond merely soloists taking turns. The freedom and agility of a small group along with the discipline usually associated with a big band made for a great combination.
May 18, 2008I've owned the LP of this album since I was a kid, and it's always been one of my favorites - great arrangements, and an incredible band. It's great to have the CD now, so I can save wear and tear on the LP.
November 3, 2007| | | Cannonball's best hard bop.. | |
This is cannonball's best hard bop album slightly edging out his riverside debut "portrait of cannonball" which featured blue mitchell on trumpet. Here it is cannonball's brother nat in his typical place in the band at cornet and playing extremly well as usual. The album starts out with a snappy version of nat's "work song" with 6 other blues drenched songs. An exellent version of Bobby timmons classic "dat dere" and the superb title song. This is cannonball at his best with a solid support cast top to bottom. Important for all hard bop fans to own this one.
The only negative is the sound quality that is mediocre on some tunes. The master recording was done with riverside and then picked up by columbia when riverside folded. Song number 6 was actually dubbed from an LP which doesn't give you the best sound quality.
September 20, 2005Cannonball's exciting quintet is presented here on their second album, their first recorded in a studio. The quintet (Cannonball on alto sax, his brother Nat on cornet, either Bobby Timmons or Barry Harris on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums) is superbly presented here on great hard bop originals, a blues written by Cannonball, two standards, and a great piece by Duke Pearson called "Jeannine". "Work Song", by Nat, presents Cannonball in his usual swingin' self. Be warned it's one of those melodies that gets stuck in your head for awhile. The alternate take is a welcome addition and it is interesting to compare it from the master. Other originals presented on the album are the title blues, Bobby Timmons's "Dat Dere" (which is my personal favorite on the album and is also presented with an alternate take), and Sam Jones's "Del Sasser". These all present the band in their usual, cookin' state and "Work Song","Dat Dere", and "Del Sasser" are tunes that stayed in the quintet's repitoire for most of its existence. The two standards are "Easy Living", a ballad, and "Soon", a George Gershwin tune. "Jeannine" is a flowing melody that you will most likely find yourself humming at unexpected moments. The entire album highlights the wonderful solo techniques of the Adderley brothers, as well as both of the awesome pianists that are featured. Overall, the album finds the quintet in top form and is an essential for anybody that is a fan of Adderley.
August 8, 2004| | | Cannonball in his element | |
Cannonball could play bebop, he could play modal, he could play with strings, he could play anything anyone threw at him. But where he was truly the best, where he was absolutely THE BEST was when playing the blues, and dirty ones at that. As Bill Kirchner (jazz critic) calls it: "sophisticated gutbucket." This album shows Cannonball with his best passionate, hard-swinging soloes, especially on both versions of Work Song, the title track, and Jeanine. Nat's more restrained cornet soloes are a perfect counterweight, and Louis Hayes, Sam Jones, and either Barry Harris or Bobby Timmons (Timmons being my personal preference) in the rhythm section make this a very tight band. Everything is good, except for Cannonball, who is superb. So very soulful.
One good bonus of this cd is that you have 2 versions of Work Song, the first being an up-tempo funk version, and the second a more medium-tempo hard bop version. I actaully prefer the hard bop version, but it's great to hear them both. This is highly recommended. July 7, 2004
More reviews at Amazon.com ...
