Album Info
| Artist: | The Cannonball Adderley Quintet |
| Album: | Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! - Live At "The Club" |
| Released: | US, 1981 |
Tracklist:
| A1 | Introduction | 0:07 |
| A2 | Fun | 7:33 |
| Written-By - Nat Adderley | ||
| A3 | Games | 8:03 |
| Written-By - Nat Adderley | ||
| A4 | Mercy, Mercy, Mercy | 5:07 |
| Written-By - Josef Zawinul | ||
| B1 | Sticks | 3:53 |
| Written-By - Julian Adderley | ||
| B2 | Hippodelphia | 5:43 |
| Written-By - Josef Zawinul | ||
| B3 | Sack 'O Woe | 10:45 |
| Written-By - Julian Adderley |
Info About Buying Vinyl From Our Record Store
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Description
"The Cannonball Adderley Quintet - Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! - Live At 'The Club'" is an album that captures the essence of soul jazz like few others. Released in 1966, this live recording not only showcases the extraordinary talents of saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley and his band but also marks a significant moment in jazz history. The album is celebrated for its vibrant, soulful melodies and the palpable energy of a live performance, which makes it feel as though you're right there in the audience at "The Club."
One of the most compelling aspects of this album is its title track, "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy." Composed by keyboardist Joe Zawinul, who later co-founded the influential jazz fusion band Weather Report, the song became a surprise hit. It reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a rare feat for a jazz record. The track's warm, gospel-infused rhythm and melody resonate with a broad audience, making it a standout piece that has been covered and celebrated by numerous artists across various genres.
The album's recording is steeped in a bit of intrigue and lore. Although it purports to be a live recording from a club setting, it was actually recorded at Capitol Records studio in Hollywood. The producers added canned applause and crowd noise to give it an authentic live feel, a common practice at the time but something that might surprise listeners even today. This studio setup allowed for a cleaner sound quality than a typical live recording, which undoubtedly contributed to the album's crisp, engaging sound.
Cannonball Adderley's performance throughout the album is nothing short of stellar. His alto saxophone soars and dips with expressive agility, communicating every emotion from joy to melancholy without missing a beat. His interaction with the audience, with snippets of his spoken introductions and comments included in the recording, adds a personal touch that enhances the live experience.
The rest of the quintet, consisting of Nat Adderley on cornet, Joe Zawinul on piano and electric piano, Victor Gaskin on bass, and Roy McCurdy on drums, each bring their unique flair to the album. Nat Adderley’s cornet provides a perfect foil to Cannonball’s saxophone, particularly on tracks like "Sticks" and "Hippodelphia," where the brass interplay is both playful and profound.
Critically, "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! - Live At 'The Club'" was well-received upon its release and continues to be regarded as a significant album in the jazz canon. It's often cited for its ability to bridge the gap between jazz and the broader popular music scene of the 1960s, making jazz accessible to a wider audience without sacrificing the complexity and improvisational elements that enthusiasts love.
In terms of awards, while this album itself wasn’t a recipient of major music awards like the Grammys, its influence and the success of its title track helped cement Adderley’s reputation as one of the key figures in modern jazz. The album also serves as a testament to Joe Zawinul's compositional prowess, setting the stage for his future successes in the music industry.
Overall, "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! - Live At 'The Club'" is a joyous celebration of jazz, blending soulful melodies with intricate musical interactions. It's an album that not only jazz lovers but also newcomers to the genre can appreciate for its warmth and vibrancy. Whether you're drawn in by the historical context, the standout title track, or the sheer musicality of the performances, this album is a rewarding listen that continues to resonate more than half a century after its release.
