(Tom Scott – alto sax; Terence Blanchard – trumpet; George Duke – piano, Rhodes and Wurlitzer; Larry Goldings – B3 organ; Marcus Miller – bass; Steve Gadd – drums; Dave Carpenter – bass (“Stars Fell On Alabama” and “I Should Care”); special guest Nancy Wilson – vocals on “Save Your Love For Me” and “The Masquerade Is Over”)
This tribute album to the great saxist Cannonball Adderley is as much fun as the best of the legendary musician’s own albums of the past. It honors the excitingly rich and vigorous sound of the saxist, his amazing technique and his wonderful sense of humor which came thru in all his recordings. The project was produced by alto saxist Tom Wilson, who cites Adderley has his chief influence all his life, along with drummer Gregg Field. Scott speaks about the passion and soul with which Cannonball infused everything he played, and how he emceed his concerts with his special wit and philosophy. (Remember his intro to Mercy, Mercy, Mercy?: “You know…Sometimes we’re not prepared for adversity. When it happens, sometimes we’re caught short..etc..” (I was influenced by Cannonball too – named my first cat Cannonball…)
After getting an OK from Concord on their tribute album, producers Scott and Field set out to select their “dream team” of musicians who all had a strong connection with Cannonball’s great sounds. All of them are legends in their own time. Keyboardist George Duke is even an actual alumnus of Cannonball’s band. Terence Blanchard handled the trumpet spot, and the swinging funky B-3 sounds came from Larry Goldings. The producers were so pleased to get jazz vocalist Nancy Wilson to repeat two of her early classics which she had recorded with Cannonball in 1961: The Masquerade is Over and Save Your Love for Me. They provided some very emotional moments in the studio for all concerned.
All ten tunes are tops; Mercy, Mercy, Mercy catches fire with a terrific George Duke solo, Scott’s sax and Blanchard’s trumpet really burn thru Work Song, and Golding’s funky B-3 sound propels Country Preacher. Sonics are excellent, the groove never falters, and anyone hearing this celebration of Cannonball is sure to have as much fun as he always ensured his audiences would have.
TrackList: Jive Samba, Work Song, Mercy,Mercy,Mercy, Save Your Love for Me, Sack O’ Woe, Country Preacher, Inside Straight, I Should Care, The Masquerade is Over, Stars Fell on Alabama
– John Henry
