At the Manne-Hole, Vol. 1 (Live)

Album Review

On the first of two albums, Shelly Manne & His Men are heard in prime form performing live at their home base, Shelly's Manne-Hole. Trumpeter Conte Candoli was in particularly strong form throughout the stint, showing self-restraint yet playing with power. Tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca made for a complementary partner, while pianist Russ Freeman and bassist Chuck Berghofer formed an excellent rhythm section with the leader/drummer. For Vol. 1 they play "Love for Sale," Duke Ellington's fairly obscure "How Could It Happen to a Dream," "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise," and Dizzy Gillespie's uptempo blues "The Champ." This classic music falls between cool jazz and hard bop.