Search - Cannonball Adderley :: Radio Nights

You can't go wrong with live Cannonball from this period

G B | Connecticut | 11/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The two Cannonball gigs on this CD were part of a series of radio broadcasts from the Half Note club in NYC during the mid-60s. Cannonball's playing, and that of his group, was constantly improving during this period, and on balance this is better music than the more popular records of the late 50s and early 60s.



The first four tracks come from what I am guessing is the chronologically later gig - 1965 or 1966 - since the group is a quintet (Charles Lloyd had left by this time). Cannonball's playing was showing a strong avant-garde influence by this time and you can hear it on "Fiddler on the Roof" (much faster and more intense than the studio version) and "The Little Boy With Sad Eyes" (his entrance reminds me of Dolphy). "Stars Fell on Alabama" is a lovely ballad performance.



The next three tracks feature the sextet with Charles Lloyd. Unfortunately, the live album this group recorded for Capitol is currently out of print, so this is the only widely available document of their stage performances. (There are also circulating tapes from other Half Note broadcasts.) Every live version of "Work Song" I've heard is great, and this one is highlighted by Lloyd's smoking tenor solo over the charging rhythm. "The Song My Lady Sings" is such a beautiful Lloyd composition; it's a shame only a few have recorded it.



The sound here isn't as pristine as on the "official" Cannonball recordings, but is generally adequate; the only problem is on the sextet tracks, where there are serious issues with one of the stereo channels. I am not sure whether this is a problem with the original tapes or just the current reissue.



Recommended."