Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson with the Cannonball Adderley Quintet

Cleanhead & Cannonball

MilesTone MCD-9324-2

Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, vocals, alto saxophone; Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, alto saxophone; Nat Adderley, cornet; Joe Zawinul, piano; Sam Jones, bass; Louis Hayes, drums.

In 1961 Eddie Vinson had not made a record for some years; Julian Adderley on the other hand was riding high. When he ran into Vinson in Kansas City he decided to make a record with him, selflessly devoting his band as back up to the blues singer. What we get is great blues singing supported by a tightly knit band of superb musicians very familiar with each other. Vinson is also given the chance to show how well he plays the alto sax; Alderley retiring back stage on these tracks.

This remastered record is good brash stuff; "Bright Lights", Big City", "This Time", "Hold It", all drive forward as Cleanhead sings his earthy, vibrant blues. Cannonball's brother Nat, plays many different shades on cornet; from wispy coyness to rasping brilliance; some great piano work from Austrian Joe Zawinul and the bass of Sam Jones and the drums of Louis Hayes never put a foot wrong; as usual Cannonball is inimitable on alto saxophone. With the instrumental track "Arriving Soon" Cleanhead gives a sharp, energetic sound to his alto playing; and the old favorite "Kidney Stew" and "Back Door Blues" are splendid. Even the slow, sentimental (in a manly sort of way) "Audrey" emits a powerful energy that is quite spell binding. The set is rounded off with "Bernice's Bounce" as Cleanhead on alto doubles nicely with Nat Adderley on cornet.

by Ferdinand Maylin

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