A Soul Pianist Turns Toward the Orchestra
Les McCann swaps his trio for strings and horns and still sounds like himself.
By 1974 Les McCann had already built his reputation on funky, gospel-tinged trio records, and Another Beginning marks a noticeable turn away from that format. Here he fronts a large studio ensemble of strings, horns, and rhythm section, with arrangements that give the orchestra real room rather than just washing the mix in sweetness.
The music leans toward soul-jazz with a polished, studio-era sheen. McCann's piano still carries that rolling, bluesy attack, and the rhythm players keep things grooving underneath the lusher passages. The strings are the piece most listeners will notice first, and whether they land depends on your tolerance for orchestral soul. When the horns and piano trade lines, the album feels most alive.
As a place to start with McCann, this is not the obvious choice. Listeners wanting his essential sound should look first to his earlier trio dates, which are leaner and more immediate. Another Beginning is for people already curious about where he went once the budgets got bigger, and for fans who enjoy seeing a soul pianist stretch into arranged territory. It is a solid, interesting record rather than a peak, and it is best heard as a detour that still shows his hand.
Who's playing
Herb Bushlerbass
Chuck Raineybass
Jimmy Rowserbass
Roy Gainesguitar
Miroslaw Kudykowskiguitar
Seldon Powellsaxophone
Harold Vicksaxophone
Frank Wesssaxophone
Garnett Browntrombone
Kiane Zawaditrombone
Paul Humphreydrums
Harold Davisdrums
Buck Clarkepercussion
Sanford Allenviolin
Julien Barberviola
Alfred Brownviola
Selwart Clarkeviolin
Harry Cykmanviolin
Max Ellenviolin
Jon Faddisbrass
Paul Gershmanviolin
Emanuel Greenviolin
Harry Lookofskyviolin
Joe Malinviolin
Les McCannkeyboard
Danny Moorebrass
Kermit Moorecello
David Nadienviolin
Matthew Raimondiviolin
George Riccicello
Bill Slapinreeds
Joe Wilderbrass
Where next?
More by Les McCann
All 32 albums →
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
