Customer Reviews

In San Francisco

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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In the late 50s and early 60s Cannonball enjoyed unparallelled popularity, marked by the commercially successful Riverside releases of first his quintet and later his sextet (Yusef Lateef was the 3rd horn). The sessions were frequently recorded live, included spoken introductions by the ebullient Cannonball, featured mostly "accessible" tunes, and showcased at least one crowd-pleaser (This Here, Sack of Woe, Jive Samba, Mercy Mercy) that was also released as a hit single.

These sessions are memorable less for the individual solos than the fire of the ensemble, anchored and propelled by perhaps the best walking bass player in the business, Sam Jones. When I return to these recordings, I can't help but lament the absence of such ensembles on the scene today as well as be reminded of the relatively tough times Cannonball would encounter in the late 60s and early 70s, when he had trouble booking the group. (I remember him having to "audition" for ignorant Student Activities Directors shopping for next year's campus entertainment.)

"Live in San Francisco" is an exemplary session, certainly the equal of any of the other recordings by Cannonball with his own group. If a choice is to be made, I would personally favor the recordings with Victor Feldman on piano, rather than Joe Zawinul or Bobby Timmons, the pianist on this particular session. Regardless, with the renewed interest in "acoustic" straightahead jazz, any of the recordings should be required listening for the ensemble sound alone.

I purchased this album when it was an LP, in the late 1950's. I also had the opportunity to hear and see this Quintet at the Jazz Workshop in San Francisco, California. This group in person was amazing. The tone was set with "This Here" and rock the house with "Spontaneous Combustion" The solos by each member of the Quintet were fantastic. It was an opportunity to see Bobby Timmons who did the arrangements for "This Here" or as Cannonball stated he "corrupted" it to be "Dis Hear." What I liked about the LP and now the CD is that each song was not edited, the songs were allowed to the full length as was performed live. The unity of this group did bring down the house as, now the CD is doing the same in my home. It was amazing how the group would play in three quatrer time with such precision that it make a person jump-up and dance. Bobby Timmons solo on "Spontaneous Combustion," had a bit of "church gospel and R&B" in it. Julian "Cannonball" Adderley and brother "Nat" Adderley complemented each other while playing together or on solo. The Quintet was welded togather in all six of the selections and are great for the ears.

"Cannonball" had an incredibly rhythmic solos, "Nat" juilant playing accented by drummer Louis Hayes and bass player Sam Jones on most of the numbers, really moved those in attendance inside and those outside of the Jazz Workshop.

All jazz lovers will miss "Cannonball" and his brother "Nat." In the meantime we are given a super CD of the groups appearence in San Francisco's jazz Worksop.

Sparked by the recent death of Nat Adderley I decided to come here and review this album. I've owned it since before Amazon.com even existed (meaning I didn't buy it here, sorry Amazon!) but in some little way I wanted to pay a tribute to Nat.

I like all sorts of jazz but I am well aware that many people don't, and that many people think jazz is 4 or 5 guys all playing different songs at the same time. For those of you who have heard maybe only a random Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders, or Peter Brotzmann cd and from that you decided that you "hate jazz" then a cd such as this one is what I would suggest for you. This cd is danceable, grooveable, inspired, and just plain fun!

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION is sure to put a twinkle in your eye just by how much fun it sounds like all the musicians are having. Evidently I have slipped behind... I had never looked for this on cd (yet) and it was just now that I saw that a bonus STRAIGHT, NO CHASER has been added to the cd edition. Now there's another reason to buy this cd! STRAIGHT is a fantastic Thelonious Monk tune, and while I have not heard the version on this cd I can still say that it's one of my very favorite jazz tunes, and I have no doubt that the band gave it a more than worthy workout on this cd's version.

Cannonball Adderley's "In San Francisco" is one of the most exciting, influential and successful live recordings in the history of modern jazz. The all-star band, led by brother Nat on cornet, and the rhythm section of Bobby Timmons, Sam Jones and Louis Hayes, tears through the CD's six tunes (Monk's "Straight, No Chaser is an addition to the original album). The album's best moment is the definitive version of Timmons' "This Here." Don't miss Cannonball in San Fran!

This is a supremely superior session. The 'crowd pleaser' pleases exactly as it is meant to, and when Cannonball comes in off of Bobby Timmons' 'intro' it is simply sweet, satisfying SOUL. Nat sounds great, too - and with Sam Jones and Louis Hayes, this really is a workshop. Don't misunderstand, there are some 'clams' here; after all, it is a Live Workshop (Timmons plays a monster clam about 8 bars after Nat's solo on "This Here" - and notice how Louis Hayes thinks it's ending when it's not!), but the SPIRIT is unbeatable on this one. One thing - you may want to consider buying the upgraded 'Remastered' CD. The sound, at lower frequencies especially, gets a bit distorted when the levels get hot - and they get hot a lot.

Cannonball Adderley's bluesy style moves and grooves through this entire CD! A must have for fans. Also, for those who have been turned off by some of jazz' more dissident recordings, Adderley provides the best fusion of blues and be-bop around. I've played this album for friends who hate jazz and they've come away tappin' their feet and nodding their heads. Being a jazz musician myself, Adderley stands as one of my top five alto sax players. Nat, Cannonball's lesser known brother is in top form on this CD as well. Although put down by many as just hanging along for the ride with his big brother, Nat Adderley is one of the most underrated cornetists in jazz. All the tracks on this album are bop-oriented blues at mid tempos, all 4/4 except for a couple waltz's. HAVE FUN!!!

Picture yourself in a smoky cozy jazz club listening to one of the greatest live performances you've ever heard. That is what you have when you listen to this disc.

I feel so guilty. I downloaded this album off of the web for free. With Cannonball teaching us about "soul" chuch music on "This Here" and with his jamming on "Hi-Fly" and "Bohemia after dark", clearly this album deserves to be purchased. Cannonball hasn't sounded this good since "Something else!" and Miles' "Kind of Blue."