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LES McCANN Live in Hollywood, New York and San Francisco Groove Hug GH 66722

CD1

Les McCann Ltd Plays the Shout

1. But Not For Me

2. Les Talks to the Audience

3. A Foggy Day

4. The Shout

5. Set Call: Sonar

6. C Jam Blues

7. Jubilation

8. A Night In Tunisia

9. Set Call: Cute

10. Three Slaves

11. On Green Dolphin Street

12. Set Call: The Champ

Les McCann - Piano

Leroy Vinnegar - Bass

Ron Jefferson - Drums

Les McCann Ltd Plays the Shampoo at the Village Gate

13. The Shampoo

14. Too Close for Comfort

15. You I Thought I Knew

16. Out of This World

CD2

1. Woody'n You

2. Someone Stole My Chitlins

3. Filet of Soul

4. Smiley Stacey

Les McCann - Piano

Herbie Lewis - Bass

Ron Jefferson - Drums

Les McCann Ltd in San Francisco

5. Oh, Them Golden Gates

6. Red Sails in the Sunset

7. Big Jim

8. I Am In Love

9. Jeepers Creepers

10. Gone On and Get That Church

11. We’ll See Yaw’ll After While, Ya Heah

12. Frankie and Johnnie

13. Medley: But Beautiful / It Could Happen to You

14. Taking a Chance On Love

15. Love Letters

Les McCann - Piano

Herbie Lewis - Bass

Ron Jefferson - Drums

I have already reviewed the first and third albums in this collection, so there is not a lot more to say. The original LPs were recorded at various locations in 1960 and 1961, when McCann was establishing himself as a master of jazz which was strongly influenced by gospel and the blues. This meant that he developed an attractive form of funky music with plenty of soul and a strong beat.

The second LP is basically no different from the first and third: making your feet tap with simple melodies and catchy rhythms. The repertoire includes many jazz standards and some originals by Les himself. In such a trio, the rhythm section is vital: Herbie Lewis and Ron Jefferson lay down appropriate funky beats. They enable McCann to play minimally or to repeat riffs while they keep the rhythm brewing. When he plays spaciously, he is comparable with Ahmad Jamal. Ballads like You I Thought I Knew show that Les is capable of playing with tender emotion.

This is a generous double CD, with 154 minutes of music which, according to taste, can excite and inspire in equal measure.

Tony Augarde
www.augardebooks.co.uk

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