Les McCann and Eddie Harris -- Compared to What

November 23, 2023 12:46 PM

Although it's first release was a version by Roberta Flack in February of that year, that summer saw Les McCann & Eddie Harris -- Compared to What (Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1969) and that performance put the Montreux Jazz Festival on the map and calender and in history forever.

Previously

Eddie Harris & Les McCann -- Cold Duck Time (Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 1969)

Eddie Harris and Les McCann -- Kaftan (Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 1969)

Les McCann Topic - You Tube

''...Around the age of 3, Eddie’s cousin, Bernice Benson, who played piano at Eddie’s mother’s church, began teaching him how to play the piano where he learned to play by ear and eventually learned to read music...

Eddie Harris -- YouTube Topic

Composer Eugene McDaniels YouTube Topic

Eugene McDaniels Talks "Compared to What":in 2010

John Legend, The Roots -- Compared to What (Track by Track)

John Legend, the Roots -- Compared to What (Live in Studio 2010)

The seminal version of Eugene’s “Compared to What” was recorded live at the 1969 Montreux Jazz Festival on the shores of Lake Geneva Switzerland. Earlier in the festival Les McCann had performed with his trio, and Eddie Harris with his quartet. They weren’t booked to perform together but and agreed to do so on June 21, 1969, with Benny Bailey (trumpet), Leroy Vinnegar (bass), and Donald Dean (drums). The resulting performance was lightening in a bottle!

From Eugene McDaniels -- where cover versions of "Compared to What" by Roberta Flack, Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express, Terence Blanchard, Meshell NdegeOcello, OFF! and Della Reese, to name but a few, abound and much much more.

Eugene McDaniels

Norman Schreiber: The Left Reverend McD Writes Songs. And Sings Them. And Produces Them.

‘Swiss Movement Recorded Live at The Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland’ 1969 LP Full Album
Audio only, I'm afraid...

And here is Roberta Flack -- Montreux Jazz Festival 1971, just because it's so good.

Happy Thanksgiving

posted by y2karl (14 comments total)

Dynamite sounds, baby.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 1:04 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

Also Previously in a seasonal and timely comment old enough to be served hard liquor in any state in the Union.
posted by y2karl at 1:42 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

...well, in four days that is.
posted by y2karl at 1:50 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

Thank you! Flagged as fantastic. I feel this post has significantly improved my life and I am both cheerful and tearful.
posted by mumimor at 2:13 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

First discovered this on the “Casino” soundtrack. Huge fan ever since.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 4:40 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

That version is obviously fantastic. They were tight and having a great time, loving what each person was doing - and they made it look effortless. Brilliant!

Now, maybe you should Listen Here. Eddie Harris had such a great sound and vision....
posted by ashbury at 7:14 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

Oh, and thank you y2karl!
posted by ashbury at 7:15 PM on November 23, 2023 [1 favorite]

Such a killer classic tune speaking truth with so much feel

Eugene McDaniels is a giant, "Headless Heros of the Apocalypse " is sick

Eddie Harris "that's why you are overweight " another favorite

Next up: Johnny Guitar Watson
posted by SystematicAbuse at 11:39 PM on November 23, 2023

Good stuff!

Swiss Movement, is an excellent album! Their performance is cracking. Les McCann's album "Layers" although a totally different vibe, is also a favorite.
posted by nikoniko at 12:33 AM on November 24, 2023

Next up: Johnny Guitar Watson

I could so do that. And have more than once.
posted by y2karl at 2:02 AM on November 24, 2023 [2 favorites]

This is good! Many thanks for the post, y2karl - I'd only heard Roberta's version.
posted by misteraitch at 11:00 AM on November 24, 2023

Another contemporaneous version: Sweetwater - Compared to What

Not to be missed from Eddie Harris is his The Reason Why I'm Talking S--t album from 1976, a compilation of between-song monologues, some of which might be funny.
posted by bonefish at 5:39 PM on November 25, 2023

Mod note: [btw, this post was added to the sidebar and the Best Of blog]
posted by taz (staff) at 1:34 AM on November 27, 2023

Ask and ye shall receive:
Eddie Harris --The Reason Why I Am Talking S--t (1976)
posted by y2karl at 10:51 AM on November 27, 2023