Li'l Abner (album) explained

Li'l Abner
Type:	studio
Artist:	Shelly Manne
Cover:	Lil_manne.jpg
Released:	1957
Recorded:	February 6–7, 25, 1957
Studio:	Contemporary Records Studio, Los Angeles, California
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	40:33
Label:	Contemporary C 3533
Producer:	Lester Koenig
Chronology:	Shelly Manne
Prev Title:	My Fair Lady
Prev Year:	1956
Next Title:	Concerto for Clarinet & Combo
Next Year:	1955-57

Li'l Abner is an album by Shelly Manne and His Friends, recorded in 1957 for Contemporary Records.

Recording and music

The album was recorded at Contemporary's studio, Los Angeles, on February 6, 7, and 25, 1957.^[1] The musicians are drummer Shelly Manne, pianist André Previn, and bassist Leroy Vinnegar. The compositions were from the musical Li'l Abner.^[2]

Release and reception

Li'l Abner was released by Contemporary Records. The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow states: "The musicians are in fine form but the melodies are not too memorable".^[3] The All About Jazz reviewer also found the material limited. It was reissued in the Original Jazz Classics series.^[4]

Track listing

All selections composed by Gene de Paul.

1. "Jubilation T. Cornpone" - 3:13
2. "The Country's in the Very Best of Hands" - 4:39
3. "If I Had My Druthers" - 2:46
4. "Unnecessary Town" - 5:04
5. "Matrimonial Stomp" - 4:35
6. "Progress Is the Root of All Evil" - 3:34
7. "Oh, Happy Day" - 4:28
8. "Namely You" - 5:49
9. "Past My Prime" - 7:25

Personnel

• André Previn - piano
• Shelly Manne - drums
• Leroy Vinnegar - bass

Notes and References

1. Web site: Contemporary Records Discography: 1957–1958 . jazzdisco.org . February 2, 2019.
2. Web site: Rickert . David . March 15, 2003 . Shelley Manne and his Friends: Modern Jazz Performances of Songs From Li'l Abner . .
3. Web site: Yanow . Scott . Shelly Manne: Li'l Abner . . February 2, 2019.
4. Book: Cook . Richard . Richard Cook (journalist) . Morton . Brian . Brian Morton (Scottish writer) . . 2008 . 9th . . 978-0-141-03401-0 . 936 .