Thoughts on Cannonball and Nat – 24 January 2024

Dave here, still reeling after last night’s wonderful gig. Thinking of what to write, the word “Joyous” was first to pop out. Then I read Steve’s letter with the set list attached. He wrote…

What an utterly joyous gig we had last night courtesy of “Cannonball and Nat” aka Pete Long, Ryan Quigley, Chris Ingham, Malcolm Creese and George Double.  

It was a revelation, a totally uninhibited celebration of the wonderful music of the Adderley brothers.  Much thanks must go to the exuberant and hilarious compering of Pete Long, who whipped our audience into a good-natured frenzy, but also the driving energy of all of the musicians.  It would be difficult and, in fact, pointless to single out any of the numbers as a high point – there was absolutely no let-up in the pace of the performance except for the ballad medley which the musicians (and audience) needed to get their breath back.  That said, particular favourites with our audience were The Jive Samba and Mercy, Mercy, Mercy with the accompanying whoops and hollers echoing and recapturing the enthusiasm of the crowds in the original recordings.  But then what about Jeanine and Sticks and Ryan Quigley’s beautiful rendition of Skylark. 

A lot of people went home elated and content last night thanks to the boundless energy of five very hard-working musicians. I had a view across the stage and the looks of unashamed pleasure in the faces of the audience said it all.

Steve

I would just add that the trading 8’s and 4’s between the two horns in “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” was spectacular. 

We are greatly looking forward the the great guitarist and storyteller John Etheridge, with Pete Whitaker on organ and drummer George Double. I hope to see you with us on Wednesday February 14th.

Take care,

Dave

“CANNONBALL & NAT”

SETLIST, FLEECE JAZZ 24/1/24

  1. Fiddler on the Roof (Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick)
  2. Save Your Love for Me (Buddy Johnson) from the album Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley.
  3. Unit 7 (Sam Jones) also from the album Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley.
  4. Jive Samba (Nat Adderley)
  5. Azule Serape (Victor Feldman)

*          *          *           *         *        *        *

  1. Del Sasser (Sam Jones)
  2. Jeanine (Duke Pearson)
  3. I’m In the Mood For Love(Jimmy McHugh) /Laura(David Raksin) /Skylark (Hoagy Carmichael)
  4. Sticks (Julian Adderley)
  5. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Josef Zawinul)

Encore: Work Song (Nat Adderley/Oscar Brown Jr)

Posted in gig, Uncategorized.

One Comment

Comments are closed.