Search - Cannonball Adderley :: Them Dirty Blues

Cannonball scores a direct hit!

jazzfanmn | St Cloud, MN United States | 08/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cannonball Adderley is one of those rare jazz musicians who immediately grabs ahold of your attention with his superior technique and supremely rich imagination. When you combine those traits with the fact he manages to convey a genuine sense of joy in his music, you have one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. Based in the language of Charlie Parker, but possessing his own indivduality, this former teacher's powers are on full display throughout this recording. A Capitol re-release of a Riverside lp from 1960, Adderley is backed by his brother Nat on cornet, Louis Hayes on drums, the propulsive Sam Jones on bass, sharing the piano chair are Barry Harris (tracks 1-4) and Bobby Timmons (tracks 5-9). While Nat, Harris, and Timmons all provide high points, it is truly Adderley who is on display, ranging from simmering to a rolling boil his solos here are some of his best on record. A superior blues player, his infectious enthusiasm propels Adderley and company through some of the funkiest tracks this side of Horace Silver. There are no throw away tracks on this cd, but Nat Adderley's Work Song, Timmons' Dat Dere, and Cannonball's own Them Dirty Blues are standouts. This is one of Cannonball's best sessions as a leader, and is easily recommended, just buy it and find out for yourself!"

Cannonball in his element

Matt Bailey | SLC, Utah | 07/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Them Dirty Blues

Tom B. | New Jersey | 08/08/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Cannonball'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."