Les McCann – Never a Dull Moment! – Resonance Records

by Audiophile Audition | Dec 14, 2023 | Jazz CD Reviews, SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews | 0 comments

Album Cover for Les McCann - Never a dull moment

Prime time live Les McCann from the 1960s previously unissued…

Les McCann – Never a Dull Moment! (Live from Coast to Coast 1966-1967) – Resonance Records # HLP 9066 – 180 gm three LP – RSD Release – ****

(Les McCann – piano; Stanley Gilbert – bass ; Paul Humphrey or Tony Bazley (2/16/66 only) – drums – Penthouse Club, Seattle , WA.- Jan./Feb., 1966)

(Les McCann – piano; Leroy Vinnegar – bass; Frank Severino – drums – recorded at the Village Vanguard, NYC – July 16, 1967)

One of the gems released at the most current Record Store Day event nationwide, is a marvelous three LP (180 gm) limited edition (3500 numbered pressings) of soul jazz pianist, Les McCann. Recorded live in Seattle and New York City in 1966 and ’67, Les is paired with bass and drums.

At nearly two hours and twenty minutes in length, this is a special opportunity to experience McCann in his prime. Les was a master of strongly percussive soul jazz, with a blending of blues and gospel. Recorded in the mid 60s, well before he moved on to electric piano and keyboards, McCann had an innate ability to use b-flat and e-flat blues to express the gospel church into an intimate club setting. Simply put, it brought a “feel-good, head-nodding” vibe that was clearly intoxicating.

It is made even more special with incredible “in the room” warm acoustics. Remastered by the legendary, Bernie Grundman, the sessions were originally recorded by DJ, Jim Wilke in Seattle; and at New York’s famous Village Vanguard by Resonance Records co-owner, George Klabin (who used a Crown two track tape recorder, and mixed “on the fly”), the 21 tracks are now released for the first time.

The song list is a mixture of standards, and soulful McCann originals. Also included are two pop hits of the day, “Goin’ Out of My Head,” and “Sunny.”

As always, Les makes each his own, with “Sunny” having a gentle gospel feel.

Highlights include “bread and butter” staples from McCann’s repertoire, such as “Out in the Outhouse,” “The Shampoo,” and “Doin’ the Thing.” Les always had a strong feel for issues of the day, as evidenced on his live recording on his album, Swiss Movement, of “Compared to What.” Here he takes on “Wait for It,” a timely track for the tumultuous 1960s.

Other winning moments are “Could Be,” a gorgeous gospel ballad, with bass comping by Stanley Gilbert, and “Yours is My Heart Alone,” at over nine minutes, that drips with emotion. Replete with piano flourishes, Les ends the tune by going into the piano to pluck strings, much like a harp.

On the Vanguard date, Les gives Cole Porter’s much loved standard, “Love for Sale,” an ostinato workout.

An added classy bonus for this LP set are extensive liner notes, archival photos, and homages to Mr. McCann from Roberta Flack, Quincy Jones, Monty Alexander, Bonnie Raitt, and many others. Still alive at 88 years old, it’s nice to honor a still living legend.

— Jeff Krow

(This set is also being issued in a 3 CD version).