Customer Reviews

Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been listening to and collecting Nancy Wilson's music ( 50 albums (not CDs) ) for 30 years and I can honestly say that this is the best of the lot. Nancy's style is so musically compliant and smooth that she should be given her own musician's union card and allowed to join any band or orchestra that dares to share, contribute and blend in the making of shear beautiful music. She doesn't just accompany or merely sings along with the Adderely band, nope not Nancy. Rather, she joins, then attend, then blends, automatically and easily blends, and climactically complements the sultry and teasing saxaphone riffs and solos of Nat and Julius Adderley. If you are seeking Listening ( Not dancing ) Pleasure, than you will wants to experience experience this CD, especially Save Your Love For Me, and Sleeping Bee.....Believe me I have listend to at least 50 of her LPs, this one in my opinion is Simply the Best, .... of the Best!!!

In the June, 2004 issue of Down Beat, Frank-John Hadley interviewed 73 of the best jazz singers in the world, with the idea of compiling the 30 "best" vocal jazz albums of all time. The consensus had this as #1. That's fairly controversial; certain critics wouldn't say that this is even the best Nancy Wilson album, arguing that designation for "Swingin's Mutual" with George Shearing.

So, being an amateur professional jazz singer and professional criminal law hack, what do I know, and who am I to argue with the 73? All I can say is, as Mingus once put it, "I know what I know."

And, to begin with, this is definitely 5 stars. Nancy Wilson's control is outstanding; I've heard opera singers who can hold a note for seemingly ever without losing pitch or focus, but she's the best non-classical singer I've ever heard for that. And, her ability to put power on straight tones in her upper register, without losing focus, is likewise unsurpassed amongst any other jazz singer I've heard.

Likewise, her interplay with the instrumentalists here is tremendous. Whether it is with Zawinul on "Masquerade", Sam Jones on "Sleepin' Bee", Nat Adderley on "Save Your Love for Me", or Cannonball on just about everything, she very definitely is not just "some chick singing with the band." In fact, she sounds like a tremendous trumpet--reminiscent of Miles, whose "Kind of Blue" with Cannonball Adderley was released about the time that these 6 went into the studio.

So why do I disagree with the "All-Time Best" label? Because at times (not always, but at times) Nancy Wilson seems almost emotionally detached from the material she sings. The 73's #2 selection was John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, and Mr. Hartman is with that material emotionally 100% of the time. In contrast, for example, I think the New York Voices give "Save Your Love for Me" more heart than does Nancy Wilson; ditto viz. Janis Siegel and "The Masquerade Is Over."

Bottom line: I can't disagree with the "All Music Guide to Jazz", 4th ed., when they say "Why any serious jazz collection would be without this classic album is difficult to comprehend." Buy this album for that reason alone. But I'm not prepared to say this is better than the Coltrane/Hartman, or Billie Holiday on Commodore, by any means.

Nancy Wilson's voice is like silk, and she is the highlight of the CD. "The Masquerade Is Over" is the runaway song on the CD. The instrumental tracks are excellent as well -- the Adderly brothers harmonize well together, and there's a good mixture of swingin' and relaxin' music. You can't go wrong with getting this CD.

I first played this album on LP years ago. It still remains the most loved piece of greatness in my collection of over 1000 jazz albums. Nancy and Cannonball are absolutely beyond repraoch. Indeed, listen and you'll love it.

This might be the only vocal jazz album I've ever paid for, and I don't regret it. Nancy Wilson...well, what can you say? She's expressive, flexible, energetic, dynamic, and, unlike many other jazz vocalists, her voice is actually pleasant to listen to. The only problem is that she disappears halfway through the album, which might be a problem if Cannonball wasn't one of the earth's greatest alto players ever. There's his brother too, who isn't the first trumpet player to get upstaged by his sax playing brother.
The album is balanced and well paced, and has a very fresh and youthful sound that will endure through the ages. ESSENTIAL for fans of either artist.

I have actually listened to this album since about 1973, over 100 times as the other reviewer noted. It is phenomenal how Adderly and Wilson coordinated and perfectly complemented each other, ranging from delicate to intense. This album is so masterful that you know it is as fine as any other collaboration of vocalist and instrumentalist; at a certain level, the best are unique yet equally profound. Wilson' voice on this album and Swingin's Mutual set her charismatic standard--a voice that has yet to be imitated because it is so distinct. Julian Adderly's saxophone is magnificent, subtle as accompaniment and powerful on the brief solos. Same for the rest of the band. The more you listen, the more you will be able to isolate this brilliant collaboration.

This cd was purchased for me by a complete stranger in a Times Sq music store. He took a look at what I was buying, shook his head sadly and foisted this cd on me gratis. He told me quite simply: "Listen and love it." So I did - and I do. It was my first in depth aural encounter with Nancy Wilson. I'd heard her on a few "Ultra Lounge" and "Cocktail Mix" compilations, but Nancy Wilson doesn't deserve to be lumped in with the kitsch-a-rama cheese-ball factor that many of the "sleazy-listening" lounge artists do.

She's a stunning talent with an amazing vocal delivery. Cannonball simply adds to the already potent mix. "Save Your Love fo Me" is one of the most powerful ballads ever recorded. I dare anyone to play it and not melt. Why this albus is not regarded as one of jazz's finest moment is beyond me.

Listen and love it.

Nancy Wilson's best set on record.The combination of Cannonball,Nat,and the inspiring rhythm section including the exquisite playing of Joe Zawinul along with Sam Jones on bass and Louis Hayes on drums makes for an historical performance.The band remains consistently inspired throughout.Pure passion and emotion shoot out at you with a heart-felt rendition of ' The Masquerade is Over',Teaneck,Never will I marry' and Unit 7 to name a few, with excellent solos by Cannonball,Joe, and Nat and the sparkling swing of Louis Hayes brings it all together.This is a must for your collection. Enjoy.

Even if you don't play sax, you should still get it. Cannonball's solo on "Never Will I Marry" is a great place to start learning to transcribe. Nancy Wilson's voice is just sublime, and the songs on this recording are wonderful -- Old Country chills me every time I hear it.

"We've wanted to do this for months, but we wanted it to be spontaneous and relaxed. So we waited till the time was right for both of us. We wanted a happy, romping sound. It would be Cannonball's quintet with me fitting in as a sort of easy-going third horn on some nice songs that haven't already been 'heard to death' on records." ~ Nancy Wilson ~

"This young kid had so much to offer--tone, style, confidence--I felt she just had to go a long way." ~ Cannonball Adderley ~

"And Nancy's response to the quintet's sound is really something to hear, as she sings with a versatility compounded alternately of savagery and delicacy, displaying the remarkable voice that has already convinced the entire music world that the young Nancy Wilson has, to put it mildly, 'arrived'." ~ Ron Grevatt ~

This CD was recommended to me by two of my friends who are jazz aficionados. I have heard the album's snippets, but it still made me very curious what it is that made this recording so special and well-loved by many jazz fans. I have to listen to it completely so I allowed my ears to have at least three listens in a row. Now I know why.

As my rule of thumb, I don't read reviews prior to submission of my very own review. But for this album, I made an exception. Anyway, for every rule there is an exception. I have read all the reviews for "Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley" and for the first time in my reviewing history since 2003, I decided to quote reviewers whom I believe have written something beautiful about this groundbreaking album for Nancy Wilson. I usually quote jazz writers, producers or singers and musicians from the album's Liner Notes to incorporate in my reviews, but this time I'm adding the following notable quotes from some of my fellow reviewers for this CD.

"Nancy Wilson's control is outstanding; I've heard opera singers who can hold a note for seemingly ever without losing pitch or focus, but she's the best non-classical singer I've ever heard for that. And, her ability to put power on straight tones in her upper register, without losing focus, is likewise unsurpassed amongst any other jazz singer I've heard." ~ Rick Cornell ~

"Nancy Wilson is pure class. Just listening to her simply puts a smile on my face and listening to this CD is no exception." ~ James Odom ~

"Nancy Wilson's best set on record...The band remains consistently inspired throughout. Pure classic and emotion shoot out at you with heartfelt renditions of "The Masquerade Is Over," "Teaneck," "Never Will I Marry" and "Unit 7," to name a few, with excellent solos by Cannonball Adderley, Joe Zawinul, Nat Adderley and the sparkling swing of Louis Hayes brings it all together. This is a must for your collection." ~ Brian D. Fitzpatrick ~

"Wilson has a good sense of swing and more than a touch of class." ~ Nikica Gilic ~

"I just saw Nancy in Oakland last night. She was commemorating Nat's death. So she sang all the first five songs on this album. On this album and live, she is the epitome of class and control." ~ Roger Williams ~

"I first played this album on LP years ago. It still remains the most loved piece of greatness in my collection of over 1000 jazz album." ~ Gedo "Gedes" Magedo ~

In addition, this is the very first album that paved the way to her momentous entrance to the world of jazz. The repertoire creates a balance between the old and the new--old songs from the pens of Richard Rodgers, Ira Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein, Harold Arlen, Frank Loesser, Vernon Duke; and new tunes composed by Nat Adderley, Joe Zawinul and Sam Jones.

Moreover, the selections have clever arrangements and remarkable quality especially the tracks that call for Ms. Wilson's vocal artistry--an artistry that is marked by impeccable phrasing and timeless elegance. She sings my favorite of the bunch, Buddy Johnson's "Save Your Love For Me" with a voice as lovely as a blue petunia.

Lastly, on the sonic quality, it is outstanding considering that the album was recorded in 1961 and reissued in 1993. Larry Walsh is commendable for a job well-done in digital remixing. You will eternally enjoy this album in all its greatness most especially the top-notch musicianship courtesy of Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone), Nat Adderley (cornet - I love the sound), Joe Zawinul (piano), Sam Jones (bass) and Louis Hayes (drums), and of course the impressive and promising vocal artistry of Nancy Wilson who gives emotional honesty to the songs--be it ballads or up-tempo and swing numbers.