To put this important album of a previously unreleased recording of Al Jarreau in context, this Washington DC gig catches the iconic star just before hitting fame, after his 1976 Glow and before his chart topping 1977 Look To The Rainbow that got him on the charts with his creative version of “Take Five”. This is the Al Jarreau that made everyone wonder “Who IS this cat?”
He’s backed by Tom Canning/keys, Ben Atkins/b and Tom Drake/dr, of w hom only Canning is on the ’77 album, but his team is hip and hot, flexible enough to support Jarreau in a wide range of ideas. Jarreau is sweet and suave on “Letter Perfect” and swings hard on the Basie classic “ Shiny Stockings” and delivering a seamless read of “Take Five”. He has a hoot with his idol’s Jon Hendrick’s “Gimme That Wine” and is glorious on the romantic pieces “We Got By” and “Rainbow In Your Eyes”. A concert of pure joy, inspiration and a portend of a fulfilling career to come.