Cannonball Adderley - Cannonball Takes Charge

Cannonball Plays (Mostly) Standards

This is a really nice album. It's a little mellower and less overtly funky than many of the albums Cannonball would later record with the quintet. Instead, what you have is Cannonball and two rhythm sections working their way through a set of lesser-known standards.

Maybe just because it sticks out as the sole non-standard of the set, "Barefoot Sunday Blues" is my favorite tune on the set, and a wonderful showcase for Wynton Kelly's blues playing. But "I Remember You", "If This Isn't Love", "I've Told Ev'ry Little Star"... nice to hear Cannonball tackling these tunes, and without another instrument to take up front line space.

Highly recommended. August 16, 2008

cannonball always swings

this cd is further testimony of cannonballs absute knowledge of the origins of jazz.Great tunes,alternating bass players,for that all around jazz experience.cannon takes us out to the church spirtuals,gospel and blues all launching points of jazz January 27, 2008

hard to believe

Yes, it's hard to believe that this is the same man who was a star of Kinda Blue and Somethin' Else BEFORE this. In Takes Charge, Cannonball start out clean and clipped, and unless you turn up the volume you might miss any growl, wails, or slurs. Kelly, Chambers, and Cobb are in the background, and in a blindfold test I'd never guess these three, because they provide little more that a "rhythym section". It may be the recording, but this sounds like a 1959 background music for a cocktail party at the office. Nothing to upset the boss. This is the guy who jammed with Nancy Wilson and Cleanhead, but not much that brilliance here (THERE IS SOME). The technique is excellent, but there's a lack of creativity.
The second half, however, gets down and dirty, as the Heath brothers take the place of Cobb and Chambers (usually I give anything by Cobb and Chambers praise). Cannonball lets loose, and everybody heats up, including Kelly. Thank you. My favourites are also presented with alternates, too. Cannonball is all over the place, with some great strings of ideas well presented. Kelly even squeezes in some Powell-esque riffs. MP3 lists the numbers with the Heaths first, not last. Hmmm.
Also, the version of Hang My Tears Out to Dry is sooo straight, I hear Sinatra, Cannonball never changes the structure enough for my liking. Listen to Dexter Gordan's version, recorded just a few years later. No comparsion. The first half I give 3 stars, and 4 stars once the Heaths step in.
Cannonball proves here to himself that he needs a tenor or trumpet to swap ideas with, as a foil, and to write for him (I'm always amazed that some of my favorite Cannonball riffs/songs are actually written by Nat Adderley). He also proves, in the second half, that he was one of the five best sax players during his professional life. January 21, 2008

The Blues Church...at least during the 2nd half

This is a really cool album. Actually it's more like 2 mini albums in one. It's 2 different bands with 2 quite different approaches.

Tracks 1 - 4 are Cannonball on alto, Wynton Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums.

Tracks 5 - 9 are Cannonball on alto, Wynton Kelly on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Tootie Heath on drums.

Tracks 1 - 4 are nice enough, but for me, tracks 5 - 9 are the heart and soul of this album. The 5 - 9 band is just killin'... bluesier, soul-drenched, hard-swinging magic. Plus I just like the later tunes more than the first ones.

I remember the first time I listened to this disc. For the first few tracks I was thinking wow Cannonball isn't the bluesd-out soul master on this one. Then the disc hit that midpoint where it changes bands and I was like now THIS is what I come to hear Cannonball for! Even the sound is better on the 2nd half. There is more of a magical halo around Cannonball's tone. It has more of that open, spacious Blue Note type of feel.

Ditto that on Wynton Kelly. Not so much on that golden halo, but on the playing. The first half is nice enough, but the second half is that bluesy, slowed-down, knock-out quintessential Wynton Kelly playing. He was one of the all-time greats. There's no two ways about it.

Just get this one, you won't regret it. You could even get this and Cannonball's "Something Else" as your 2 first jazz discs and be well on your way to a killer collection.

January 30, 2005

Sparkling!

This recording is a reminder of what a great pianist Wynton Kelly was. He sparkles and shines everytime his fingers hit the keys. He is the perfect match for Cannonball's jaunty alto sax. Bassists Paul Chambers and Percy Heath and drummers Jimmy Cobb and Tootie Heath do their swinging things throughout. It is inevitable to compare this CD with another great Cannonball quartet recording, "Know What I Mean?," featuring pianist Bill Evans. "Cannonball Takes Charge" definitely holds it own! September 18, 2004

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