Sep 17, 2025
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Les McCann & Eddie Harris “Swiss Movement” 1969
“Compared to What” is an all-time great jam but the rest of the album is great too.
Song of the Day - “Compared To What”
Today marks the 55th anniversary of the recording of this fantastic track.
On June 21st, 1969, Les McCann and Eddie Harris laid down their superlative version of this standard tune, in concert at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. ...
Written by Gene McDaniels, “Compared To What” had been covered by some 270 artists…
But THIS is the version…
With Les McCann on piano and vocal, and Harris on tenor sax, backed by Leroy Vinegar on bass, Benny Bailey on trumpet, and Donald Dean on drums, they tweaked the lyrics a bit to reflect the current angst with the Vietnam War. … see the lyrics below in comments…
A great track… best played pretty loud…
Resonates profoundly today…
(Mary Elaine LeBey)
I love the lie and lie the love A-Hangin' on, with push and shove Possession is the motivation that is hangin' up the God-damn nation Looks like we always end up in a rut (everybody now!) Tryin' to make it real, compared to what? C'mon baby!
Slaughterhouse is killin' hogs Twisted children killin' frogs Poor dumb rednecks rollin' logs Tired old lady kissin' dogs I hate the human love of that stinking mutt (I can't use it!) Try to make it real, compared to what? C'mon baby now!
The 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. God damn it! Tryin' to make it real, compared to what? (Sock it to me)
Church on Sunday, sleep and nod Tryin' to duck the wrath of God Preacher's 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, crass distortion Unwed mothers need abortion Kind of brings to mind ol' young King Tut (He did it now) Tried to make it real, compared to what?!
Tryin' to make it real, compared to what?
Donald Dean, Leroy Vinnegar, Benny Bailey, Eddie Harris
(via Les McCann & Eddie Harris Compared To What (1969)
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
Compared to What - Roberta Flack
