Les McCann - In San Francisco (2012)

Les McCann Ltd. in San Francisco: Recorded Live at the Jazz Workshop was recorded in December of 1960 and released in 1961 on the Pacific Jazz label. Backing his piano were bassist Herbie Flowers and drummer Ron Jefferson. The original LP of this date featured seven selections -- only about half of the entire gig. This Fresh Sound reissue contains four more tracks, bringing the total to 11. The LP included four McCann compositions, and while the additional tracks are all standards, they do include a very fine arrangement of "Frankie and Johnnie" and a medley of Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen's "But Beautiful" and "It Could Happen to You," as well as "Taking a Chance on Love" and "Love Letters." What's remarkable about these last four standards is just how seamlessly McCann and company weave them into their early hard bop cum soul-jazz style, with blues, gospel, and pop all brought out in equal measure. The performance is wonderful. That said, given that this is a Fresh Sound release, don't expect a pristine remastering job.