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Les McCann & Eddie Harris — Compared To What
Album: Swiss Movement
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3365









Released: 1968
Length: 8:35
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I love to lie and lie to love
I'm hangin' on they push and shove
Possession is the motivation
That is hangin' up the goddamn nation
Looks like we always end up in a rut
Everybody now
Tryin' to make it real compared to what

Slaughterhouse is killin' hogs
Twisted children killin' frogs
Poor dumb rednecks rollin' logs
Tired old ladies kissin' dogs
I hate the human love of that stinking mutt
I can't use it
Tryin' to make it real compared to what

President he's got his war
Folks don't know just what it's for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt they call it treason
We're chicken feathers
All without one nut goddamn it
Tryin' to make it real compared to what

Church on Sunday sleep and nod
Tryin' to duck the wrath of God
Preachers fillin' us with fright
They all tryin' to teach us what they think is right
They really got to be some kind of nut
I can't use it
Tryin' to make it real compared to what

Where's that bee and where's that honey
Where's my God and where's my money
Unreal values a crass distortion
Unwed mothers need abortion
Kind of brings to mind old young King Tut
He did it now
Tried to make it real compared to what

Tryin' to make it real compared to what
Comments (570)add comment
I said Yo!!
 bairdc wrote:



Just upped my rating to the same!  Fortunate enough to see him live right here in his hometown some moons ago!  Amazing! 

GREAT TUNE!   I started out with a TEN.  Thanx RP!  
 idahoTux wrote:

9 -> 10




Just upped my rating to the same!  Fortunate enough to see him live right here in his hometown some moons ago!  Amazing! 
9 -> 10
all incredible sentiments except the part about stinking mutts 
10 is not enough! Whoaaah!
From 1968 to 2024, still spot on!!
just plain beautiful isn't it.
Eddie Harris is one of the more interesting "jazz" musicians. I use quotes because jazz, not really. But listen to the track "Listen Here" and you will get a good idea.
 SmackDaddy wrote:


How is this NOT a 10?


Godlike dammit!
Good old Les. What a classic. And what amazing timeless lyrics.
Sock it to me, now!

 Egrey wrote:

This song is a 9 for many reasons, one of which is the perfect use of “god dammit.”



How is this NOT a 10?
god damn it! 10
 Catalytic wrote:

It's unfortunate how the lyrics are still relevant nearly fifty years later. 




YES!
 grogg wrote:
The song completely syncs up with the dancing bananas. Therefore the dancing banana was created for this song. Science.
{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananapiano}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}

I Agree!  ...Spot on!  


 natjsoper wrote:

Not many 8 minute songs that hold your attention the entire time--a solid 9!

Word, and Eddie Harris and Benny Bailey, mercy!!
Added one more to take it to the top.

Not many 8 minute songs that hold your attention the entire time--a solid 9!
Sock it to me!
then I read the lyrics... 
1968 distilled into one brilliant riff. And coming back around now for the 21st century. Timeless.
 Egrey wrote:

This song is a 9 for many reasons, one of which is the perfect use of “god dammit.”



Which is why I am bumping my rating from 9 to a 10. God Dammit!
 grogg wrote:
The song completely syncs up with the dancing bananas. Therefore the dancing banana was created for this song. Science.
{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananapiano}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}



Well I'll be...
Not a particularly big jazz fan, but I just ADORE this! It's my standard play-loud song before heading out for the night. A perfect 10 for me, and thanks for having it on RP!
More sense today than back then!
Give it up for the horn section!
Eddie Harris (tenor saxophone)
Benny Bailey (trumpet)

great music 
 BBoyes wrote:

One of many albums purchased on Amazon after hearing it here at RP... I need to buy Amazon stock I guess!


If you did, I bet you're pretty pleased with yourself!
More cowbell!!!
Eddie Harris!!!!
Rated it a 10, and got it turned up to 10!

Sock it to me, now!
 kcar wrote:
I regret not digging into Les' and Eddies careers more deeply. One for the to-do list.

Something RP does so well: reminding us how much we loved something and reigniting the wish to not only go back to it but investigate it more😎
Fabulous recording.  Brings me back to the old days for sure.  
Bill, please put this into steady rotation. Doesn't get much better than this!
I'm revamping my resume for a potential job and this music is making the task so much more fun! it's a 10 for me 
 jacopo777 wrote:

SLAP SOME OF THOSE C NOTES ON MY ORATORY CANAL.



Didn't you mean to shout, "AUDITORY" canal?
Exquisite. While timeless, this performance can always be placed in history by the interpolation of The Age of Aquarius at the very beginning. Despite the sobering message, the exuberance of the musicians makes this an incredibly upbeat piece. ThAnks for putting it in rotation, Bill!
Bill,

I saw what you did there... nice segue!!!
This should be played more.
 Hmmm.. not quite my tempo

grogg wrote:

The song completely syncs up with the dancing bananas. Therefore the dancing banana was created for this song. Science.


{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananapiano}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}


Well this needs to be in the rotation more often! 
Good stuff here, and as for Eddie Harris, I can only say: "Listen Here"!
This song is a 9 for many reasons, one of which is the perfect use of “god dammit.”
Benny Bailey!!!
This just makes me smile : ^ )
I’m with him on the dogs. I can’t use it either.
DAMN!!! This holds up 50 years later!!!
Excellent..!
SLAP SOME OF THOSE C NOTES ON MY ORATORY CANAL.
Schweizer Bewegung??? that's the hamer  (for me swissman) -- das ist der Hammer {#Bananapiano}
I keep thinking this is Herbie Hancock on piano. It's got that "Canteloupe Island" sound.
really enjoyed hearing this today. Thank you! 
 Pjesnik wrote:
If this is jazz, count me in. {#Smile}


 
This is most definitely Jazz! Two great players and a great tune from a classic album.
The song completely syncs up with the dancing bananas. Therefore the dancing banana was created for this song. Science.
{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}{#Bananapiano}{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}
9>10   what a way to wake up today - loving this {#Dancingbanana}
 hschlossberg wrote:
This song always reminds me of the fill music in the middle of an SNL commercial break.

 
Well,it does have saxophone.Kinda lacking in that cold,sterile corporate feel though.
So good...my workmates here in cube city are wondering why I'm moving and grooving at my desk. 
This song always reminds me of the fill music in the middle of an SNL commercial break.
Damn...just when you think it can't get any more swinging, he UPS IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL and hell, I love this now as much as ever!
Maybe it's coincidence, but as thousands are lined up at this very moment in Salt Lake City to protest trump's national monument eviscerations, Bill's playing this right after Graham Nash's Chicago is quite timely.


If this is jazz, count me in. {#Smile}

Prescient. Solid 10.
It's unfortunate how the lyrics are still relevant nearly fifty years later. 
This album has been in my playlist since 1971. On my iPhone playlist now, just listened to it today driving around town. Brillian.
 nancyco wrote:
Dear "wiseking",

I hafta say I prefer the company of loving, devoted  "mutt" than a clueless, narcissistic, self-satisfied "man-child".
Although... I still like the song.


 


 thewiseking wrote:
"i hate the human love of that stinking mutt"
damn right!
dysfunctional dog lovers care more about Korean Dog Meat than they do their fellow human beings 

 


boober wrote:

I hate to do this....but I am bumping my comment from 6 years ago. Meeting Les was a moment in time that I will never forget.

In 1984 I was checking into the Holiday Inn in downtown Cleveland.Behind me was a huge black man with luggage and some music equipment.I asked the front desk if they had a workout room cause I brought my workout clothes.The man behind me asked if I played tennis...and I said yes,but I don't have a racquet with me.He said he did,and he'd like to volley with me early the next morning.That particular Holiday Inn has a tennis court on the roof.That evening while walking the halls I ran into the man and said "I didn't catch your name."He said" it's Les McCann".I said "are you a musician Les" and he said he plays piano.He invited me into his room(filled with the sweet aroma of pot)where he showed me a painting he was working on of a recent rainstorm that just came off of Lake Erie.What a great gentleman.We spoke for about an hour on music and life.This is the first time I've heard his music.No he wasn't very good at tennis.


kcar wrote:

"No he wasn't very good at tennis."

{#Roflol}{#Roflol}

That's like the 32nd question I would've asked you about that encounter. "Oh, he didn't play tennis well? Ta hell with Les!"


lissen wrote:
How great!! I first heard Eddie Harris in a dive bar on Lincoln St in Chicago about 3 AM in 1971 jamming with other musicians gathering after their evening's gigs. I just happened to have been sent there by a friend who tipped me off to the amazing folks I could see. Priceless.
 
{#Clap} {#Clap} {#Clap} These stories are as cool as the song!
How great!!  I first heard Eddie Harris in a dive bar on Lincoln St in Chicago about 3 AM in 1971 jamming with other musicians gathering after their evening's gigs.  I just happened to have been sent there by a friend who tipped me off to the amazing folks I could see.  Priceless.
Agree!
 

gregskrtic wrote:
9  >——————> 10

{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano} {#Guitarist}{#Dancingbanana}
           

 


Oh now damn IT!  You've done gone and made me....{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana}

Curses on you RP!  This is right smack in the middle of me work day! 

Highlow
American Net'Zen
"i hate the human love of that stinking mutt"
damn right!
dysfunctional dog lovers care more about Korean Dog Meat than they do their fellow human beings 
{#Cheesygrin}  wow  10+
9  >——————> 10

{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano} {#Guitarist}{#Dancingbanana}
           
{#Bananapiano} Oh, my goodness, it's been a while and this is fantastic. {#Notworthy}
Gets me toe-tapping every time
And here it is again, a week later. Sock it to me!
Pure ten-ness.
Bill & Rebecca, thanks for bringing yet another smile by sharing your music. Love what you do!

I never heard the Roberta Flack version that preceeded the wonderful Les McCann/Eddie Harris from Montreux, but none of the other covers afterwards have touched what Les and Eddie created here. I first ran across this record when a freshman in college in 1972, when someone else's good ears suggested I listen. I loved it then and still do over 40 years later. Thank you for the grin on my face.
The commentary in the lyrics is still so very relevant, and the whole thing is still amazing. {#Good-vibes}
 boober wrote:

I hate to do this....but I am bumping my comment from 6 years ago. Meeting Les was a moment in time that I will never forget.

 

In 1984 I was checking into the Holiday Inn in downtown Cleveland.Behind me was a huge black man with luggage and some music equipment.I asked the front desk if they had a workout room cause I brought my workout clothes.The man behind me asked if I played tennis...and I said yes,but I don't have a racquet with me.He said he did,and he'd like to volley with me early the next morning.That particular Holiday Inn has a tennis court on the roof.That evening while walking the halls I ran into the man and said "I didn't catch your name."He said" it's Les McCann".I said "are you a musician Les" and he said he plays piano.He invited me into his room(filled with the sweet aroma of pot)where he showed me a painting he was working on of a recent rainstorm that just came off of Lake Erie.What a great gentleman.We spoke for about an hour on music and life.This is the first time I've heard his music.No he wasn't very good at tennis. 



 
"No he wasn't very good at tennis."

 
{#Roflol}{#Roflol}

That's like the 32nd question I would've asked you about that encounter. "Oh, he didn't play tennis well? Ta hell with Les!"

Seriously, that's a cool story. He absolutely cooks on this track—hell, they all do. When I first heard this on a Boston station—WGBH, perhaps—I called the station and the DJ answered while the song was playing. Eric Jackson of "Eric in the Evening" (still going strong AFAIK) was very gracious while I asked what the name of the song was and babbled in general.

I bought the LP soon after. I regret not digging into Les' and Eddies careers more deeply. One for the to-do list. 
                              Hello anybody from Zurich Kreis 5 Wohlgroth fabric squat era ?
                Next thing I know Uli is an angel handing me the keys, how about public library ?
                 city fathers always trying to remain calm, I guess they'll close an eye to stunts.
Ouch! It's sooooo Good!
Simply 10 out of 10!{#Clap}
This just jams!
Sock it to me?
This moves me every time hear it. Magic.
I never get tired of this.  One of the best live jazz recordings ever (the whole album).  Basically a pick up band a day before this was captured.  IMHO Benny Bailey steals the show - as you can hear by the audience reaction.  He was a favorite given he lived in Amsterdam and was well known in Europe.

And oh yeah, he totally rocked it!
 
I have not heard this in I don't know how long, decades....thank you thank you thank you RP 
Am I the only one that just herd the bumper between Compared to What and The Tragically Hip "Ahead by a Century" where Bill says it was recorded in 1868 ?  I mean if it had been a network blip I'm sure I didn't hear the N in nineteen ... :)
it must have been a hell of a night when this was made
the buzz feels so real
 
Shit! 
Can you imagine being able to play like this?

damn that's good!
 
One of many albums purchased on Amazon after hearing it here at RP... I need to buy Amazon stock I guess!
More cowbell
I've owned this album in one form or another since it came out in 1968 and never, ever tire of it.  If this is the only song you've heard from it, buy it and enjoy!

{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananajam} {#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}
The Real Thing !!! (compared to everything else)   1968 was an intense time...
 Jake and Elwood and Ray give this an ELEVEN! SOCK IT TO ME!


Compared to What? Good God, why are we just treading water? Compared to another great song, just don't know, except, Im thinking and jambing but don' know .......
 AhhtheMusic wrote:
An old standby, this is a classic that will never become outdated.

 
AGREED! If you can't get part of your body moving on this one, well lol personal problem! feet twitching time to dance! {#Dancingbanana_2}
I'm dancing at my desk.
{#Dancingbanana_2}oh yeah
utmost in cool
I really needed to hear this song this morning, hence the 10 rating.  Not that it doesn't deserve it all on it's own.

Thanks Radio Paradise!  
An old standby, this is a classic that will never become outdated.
Straight Soul-Funk-Punk all up in yer face, love it.

=9= 
One of the prized gems I have mined from RP. Thanks Bill!{#Dancingbanana}
Holy shizzz.... this tune is amazing. Loving it. 1968, its like he wrote these lyrics today. 
More cowbell!
This is one of my favorite songs of all time! Brings back great memories of seeing Les live at the Keystone Corner in San Francisco in the late 70's. Very Cool... thanks for playing it!
Few songs demonstrate such keen social consciousness and sound so damn good. 
President he's got his war
Folks don't know just what it's for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt they call it treason

No comment needed.
Haven't heard this song in probably 20 years! Thanks for playing it and reminding me how good Les McCann was.
Hot damn, this thing REALLY SWINGS! Wish I could be sitting in a real jazz dive, digging the fission of this awesome frantic vibe live...
Groundbreaking. Unreal! And Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Amazing.Socially ahead of it's time

{#Arrowd} ha - that's a cool story - {#Arrowd}

I hate to do this....but I am bumping my comment from 6 years ago. Meeting Les was a moment in time that I will never forget.

 

In 1984 I was checking into the Holiday Inn in downtown Cleveland.Behind me was a huge black man with luggage and some music equipment.I asked the front desk if they had a workout room cause I brought my workout clothes.The man behind me asked if I played tennis...and I said yes,but I don't have a racquet with me.He said he did,and he'd like to volley with me early the next morning.That particular Holiday Inn has a tennis court on the roof.That evening while walking the halls I ran into the man and said "I didn't catch your name."He said" it's Les McCann".I said "are you a musician Les" and he said he plays piano.He invited me into his room(filled with the sweet aroma of pot)where he showed me a painting he was working on of a recent rainstorm that just came off of Lake Erie.What a great gentleman.We spoke for about an hour on music and life.This is the first time I've heard his music.No he wasn't very good at tennis. 


 TwinEngine wrote:
I first heard this on an Atlantic Records compilation, so I beat RP for once. ;-) As a teenager this collection got me a little interested in jazz, at least. (And to the song comments criticizing jazz as inaccessible, you do realize that you're barking up the wrong tree with this particular song?)  I take exception to the line "I hate the human love of that stinking mutt", but at least he's honest. The modern approach would be to condemn this song to the "pre-politically correct era", before people could only talk in bullshit codes and passive voices, because it could possibly offend someone ("rednecks", animal lovers) — so I'm glad it exists.

That compilation also had a really nice, melodic, accessible jazz piece called Hard Times by David 'Fathead' Newman (youtube link) that I have not forgotten. I would recommend it for RP if I dared.



 
Upload it! Give it a shot. If Bill and Rebecca don't like it, their loss. 

https://www.radioparadise.com/?name=review


Wow, Bill, still pushing that segue from this into Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit"? Dear God, no, please.  
 Can I get an amend for that !

msymmes wrote:
No such thing as playing this too much !
 

 


No such thing as playing this too much !
 
Please play the version of 'Nils Landgren Funk Unit - Live in Montreux' instead.

They play it with much more drive and passion.
I hear this on RP way too often. The thrill is gone.
That man banging in nails in the background was very annoying!!! {#Crashcomp}