In 1969 Cannonball Adderley’s quintet toured Europe, performing in 15 cities. This limited-edition double-CD set records their Bordeaux gig at the Alhambra Theatre, the second stop in their itinerary. The concert was recorded by the French radio and television office and has now been remastered from the original tapes. While bootleg copies of some parts of the concert have been floating around for a while, this is the first complete and authorised release of the performance.
Adderley’s quintet comprised himself on alto sax, his brother Nat on cornet, Joe Zawinful on electric and acoustic piano, Victor Gaskin on bass and Roy McCurdy on drums. In jazz historian Bob Blumenthal’s view, the band he brought to Bordeaux “must be considered as worthy as any to wear the classic title”.
Adderley, predominantly known for his hard-bop style and later excursions into soul-jazz, would doubtless have surprised many of the audience with his newfound adoption of the avant-garde that is evident in much of this recording. It was made at a time when jazz was experiencing substantial change.
The concert opens on CD1 with an explosive Zawinul composition, The Scavenger, with Adderley on soprano sax. It’s followed by Manha De Carnaval, a bossa nova featuring Gaskin on arco bass. Next is a fiery rendition of Nat Adderley’s Work Song with the cornettist soloing at top speed. The pace slows with the well-known ballad, Somewhere from West Side Story. Following this, Why Am I Treated So Bad?, a blues composed by Roebuck Staples, has Zawinul changing to electric piano and McCurdy ferocious on drums. The band then melds into a brief and breezy taste of Nat Adderley’s The Scene to finish.
The second set opens with another Zawinul composition, Experience In E, a freeish number featuring Nat soloing on cornet. It was later released in 1970 on The Cannonball Adderley Quintet and Orchestra album. An energetic take on Dizzy Gillespie’s Blue ‘N’ Boogie is next, followed by the band’s version of Duke Ellington’s Come Sunday with Zawinul prominent on piano. Adderley introduces Walk Tall with an explanation to the audience of the meaning of its title. Indeed, throughout the concert we hear Adderley’s entertaining repartee with the audience which was so often an engaging feature of his live perfomances. A rendition of Adderley’s soul-jazz hit Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, penned by Zawinul, comes next. Then finally the closing track, The Scene, is cheered loudly by the appreciative audience, provoking an encore of Oh Babe with Nat singing gustily. It’s a rousing conclusion to a spirited concert.
This attractive gate-fold package includes a 16-page booklet with rare photos and liner notes by Bob Blumenthal, an introduction from producer Zev Feldman and reflections from Roy McCurdy, Hal Galper, Michael Wolff and Chris Potter.
Discography
CD1: The Scavenger; Manha De Carnaval; Work Song; Somewhere; Why Am I Treated So Bad; The Scene (49.46)
CD2: Experience In E; Blue ‘N’ Boogie; Come Sunday; Walk Tall; Mercy, Mercy, Mercy; The Scene; Oh Babe (46.40 )
Cannonball Adderley (as); Nat Adderley (c); Joe Zawinul (p, elp); Victor Gaskin (b); Roy McCurdy (d). Alhambra Theatre, Bordeaux, 14 March 1969.
Elemental Records 5990448 CD
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Cannonball Adderley: Burnin’ In Bordeaux: Live In France 1969 – LP version
This is the two-LP vinyl set of Cannonball’s 1969 concert in Bordeaux. Cannon and brother Nat are on good form throughout this live programme which was mastered for LP by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab. It is a limited edition of 2,950 units from Resonance as part of their Record Store Day contribution. Check out particularly this nine-minute Work Song reading and a wild, uptempo Blue ’N’ Boogie. French Radio sound is bright and clear although drums are over recorded.
Discography
LP1: The Scavenger; Manha De Carnaval (23.50) – Work Song; Somewhere; Why Am I Treated So Bad; The Scene (23.15)
LP2: Experience In E; Blue ‘N’ Boogie (20.13) – Walk Tall; Mercy, Mercy, Mercy; The Scene; Oh Babe (19.44)
Cannonball Adderley (as); Nat Adderley (c); Joe Zawinul (p, elp); Victor Gaskin (b); Roy McCurdy (d). France, 14 March 1969.
Resonance 5990548
(Derek Ansell)
