Cannonball Adderley Quintet – Walk Tall (Baby That’s What I Need) from the Capitol Records 45

I love Jazz. What started out 15 plus years ago with Miles and Trane, has really turned into quite a passion. I try to buy up every decent Jazz record I find in my digging adventures. When I come upon a Jazz 7″, especially those of the organ kind, Soul Jazz, or just plain old Jazz Funk, it’s always a bonus. There are tons of great Jazz 45’s out there, and if you search long enough, you’re bound to come across a few gems. When I say gems, I’m talking guys like Brother Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Grant Green, Lou Donaldson and the like. When I ran across this 45, well I got a little excited (inside ya know, I didn’t want my dealer to think I’d popped a gasket), ok a lot excited. I have the full length that this side comes from, and it’s a great listen. I’ve sampled it on a few mixes, and for sure, my next Soul Jazz mix is going to have this cut on it. Let’s ease on into “Walk Tall” by The Cannonball Adderley Quintet on Captiol Records from 1967.

Julian Edwin “Cannonball” Adderley was born in Tampa, FL in 1928. After he graduated high school, following in the footsteps of his teacher/father (an accomplished trumpet player in his own right), he was a high school band leader. Things would change in 1955, when he would travel to New York City, and sit in a session with Oscar Pettibone. He became the new sensation on the alto saxophone, and in a short time critics had him pegged as the next Charlie Parker. Adderley would go his own way, however, and make his niche in the Jazz world. He would form a quintet, which would feature his brother Nat on coronet. Although financially this move would prove to be almost a disaster, in 1957 he caught the attention of Miles Davis, and was asked to be involved in The Sextet. This famous line up included John Coltrane, Red Garland, Wynton Kelley, and Bill Evans. Adderley would stay for two years with the sextet, but eventually returning to his own quintet in 1959. A recording of the Bobby Timmons song “This Here” would have the CAQ coined as “Soul Jazz”, and the rollercoaster ride of a career was off to a running start. The quintet (which sometimes filled to a sextet) would have players such as Barry Harris, Victor Feldman, Joe Zawinul, George Duke, and Hal Galper. Sam Jones and Louis Hayes would be the original rhythm section, only to be replaced later by Victor Gaskin, Walter Booker, and Roy McCurdy. Yusef Lateef and Charles Lloyd would be included in the sextet. The Quintet would go on to perform this Soul Jazz, as well as funky stylings and interpretations throughout their career. The Zawinul penned “Mercy Mercy Mercy” was a top side for the Quintet and brought them to different audiences, eventually pushing them to a whole different level musically. His preacher like ramblings while performing were legendary, and the stout Adderley held his Jazz sermon often and with great intensity. He drew influences from Funk, Soul, Jazz, and especially the Blues, where he proclaims on the full length that this side comes from that “they never play a set without playing the Blues.” Adderley was a true Jazz ambassador who promoted and represented Jazz to the fullest, whether it on vinyl, live (later through television), or as a University speaker. He died in Gary Indiana of a stroke in 1975.

This cut comes from the full length 74 Miles Away/Walk Tall on Capitol Records. It was produced by David Axelrod, and recorded live. The liner notes state: “No Jazz group presently active seems to come alive more buoyantly on the band stand, and no other combo has benifited more fully from the advantages of recording live.” I can agree with that, as I have a good amount of Adderley Lps, and they are definitely live, not just on stage, but the music itself. From the opening electric piano of Josef Zawinul, and the infusion of the Adderley’s horn section with Vic Gaskin’s bass and Roy McCurdy’s mellow drum pattern, how could you not walk tall? The horns speed up a bit, you lift your head up and look straight ahead. Your stride starts to move at at faster pace, you’re confident, not cocky, and then it comes out, that famous Adderley sermon: “Walk Taaallll”. In 2 minutes and 38 seconds you’ve learned the secret to handling any adversity. Advice given by a true scholar, in every sense of the word. It looks like the digging weather might be ok this weekend, but we’ll see how it goes. At any rate I’ll be back with something. I recently picked up a nice haul, and have been lining the 7″s up for the Budos show for The 4th and Kingsley Soul Club at Asbury Lanes on December 21st. Spread the word.

Keep Diggin’!

**For those of you in London this weekend, the one and only 45 Sessions contributer Devil Dick will be here, playing with his band Solace, and destroying the place with his guitar. Also keep an eye out for the Big Man who most likely will be at the show in a Chelsea Cap. Tell him that Liverpool red is the only color. Also, check out the guys over at Afro Kats Records, who contacted me about their new release from Floyd Larson and the Hearts of Stone, some great Funk out of Jersey. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this piece of Jersey goodness!