Music on the Web (UK)

Webmaster: Len Mullenger

[ Jazz index ] [Nostalgia index]  [ Classical MusicWeb ] [ Gerard Hoffnung ]

BUY NOW AmazonUK   AmazonUS

TOM SCOTT Cannon Re-loaded Concord Jazz 0888072302365

 
1. Jive Samba
2. Work Song
3. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
4. Save Your Love For Me
5. Sack o' Woe
6. Country Preacher
7. Inside Straight
8. I Should Care
9. The Masquerade Is Over
10. Stars Fell on Alabama
 

Tom Scott - Alto sax

Terence Blanchard - Trumpet

George Duke - Piano, Rhodes, Wurlitzer

Larry Goldings - B3 organ

Marcus Miller - Bass

Steve Gadd - Drums

Dave Carpenter - Bass (tracks 8, 10)

Nancy Wilson - Vocals (tracks 4, 9)

 

Subtitled "All-Star Celebration of Cannonball Adderley", this CD is not one of those routine rip-off "tributes" but a heartfelt appreciation of a musician whose wonderful playing is still underrated today (even though he played on two of Miles Davis's best albums). Alto-saxophonist Tom Scott makes this clear in his appreciative sleeve-notes, which sum up Adderley eloquently: "What made Cannonball so very special? To begin with, he had a big, robust sound on the alto sax and possessed a blistering technique." Scott also praises Cannonball's passion, soul and sense of humour.

Tom Scott has the qualities to pay tribute to Adderley, as he has a similarly full tone and soulful attack. You can hear his funky side on several tracks and his more lyrical approach in Stars Fell on Alabama. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard fulfils very adequately the role of Cannonball's brother, cornettist Nat Adderley, while the other musicians definitely deserve the appellation "All-Star". Catch Terence's muted solo on Save Your Love For me, one of two songs on which vocalist Nancy Wilson reprises two of the pieces she sang on the album she recorded with Cannonball in the early 1960s (and she still sounds fine).

I'm glad to find the group playing Country Preacher, which is one of my favourite tracks from the similarly-titled album which the Adderley Quintet recorded at a 1969 concert in aid of Operation Breadbasket. It's a hypnotically gospelly slow-burner and it's good to hear the same keyboard sounds as Joe Zawinul played on the original. In fact keyboardist George Duke contributes some sterling work to this album. Sample his groovy keyboard solos on Work Song and Inside Straight, and his delicate piano in I Should Care and Stars Fell on Alabama. Drummer Steve Gadd displays his brilliance with a concise drum solo on Work Song.

Tony Augarde

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to Index