Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! - Live At "The Club"
by The Cannonball Adderley Quintet

From Fischman 05/15/2020 17:04 | #251476

I get a kick out of the story behind this album. It was not recorded at "The Club" in Chicago as the title cover indicates, but rather at a studio in Hollywood, with an invited audience. Wherever it was recorded, the audience are into it; a cynic might say that's because not only were they invited, but also given free drinks. But I'd still say it was because this is a totally kickass set! Stone cold sober in my living room, I get into this big time and feel moved to do a little hootin' and hollerin' myself. There is this critical mass of musical energy bursting forth from every member of the group. Roy McCurdy's drumming is anything but subtle, but it is filled with a powerful, propulsive drive that seems to spur the soloists on to even greater expression. Cannonball's brother Nat rips like never before and Cannonball himself is on fire.

Mercy indeed. Five big fat, brilliantly shining stars for this one. If this album doesn't get you fired up, you're probably dead.

Listening to this, you might think that the audience is incredibly receptive, enthusiastic about every note, this guy and his band really have a following at The Club. Turns out, it was recorded in a studio with an invited audience...and an open bar. It's a terrific album musically, but the audience...well, technically, the claque...is very obtrusive, which spoils it for me.