Jimmy Smith Recommendations ?

Hi Schlep, well it would be interesting to know which ones you have. For me the funkier hammond hits the spot rather than the laid back blues type LPs that he's done. Personal favourites are

The Cat - title track especially
Midnight Special
Back at the Chicken Shack
Organ Grinder Swing (the one from "that" car ad)
Home Cookin' - slower paced LP but great
The Sermon, this is an odd one because my vinyl copy has a totally different track set to the RVG issue my mate bought on CD.

His newer LP .com blues is also fab.

Best wishes


Gary

Fozz -

Thanks for your response. I have The Sermon, Dot Com Blues, and another I can not remember (it's not any of those you mentioned). I love what I've been listening to, and want to check out some additional material, it's just a matter of what material. He's done SO much. Seems he's a bit underrated.

It's funny, I didn't realize it until I did some reading - Jimmy put the Hammond in jazz; before him, no one was doing that. Wish I had seen him before he passed.

The Sermon has a few tracks featuing Kenny Burell on guitar - my fav guitarist, both always seem to be so musical.

Anyway, I'm going to keep my eyes out for some of the titles you mentioned.

Craig

Wow! Jimmy Smith was so dynamic a performer live and on recordings! There are so many that I love, including those mentioned above, but I would add:

Jimmy and Wes, Dynamic Duo- these recordings with Wes Montgomery are just fun.

I Got My Mojo Workin- This one was a hit single in the 60's. My favorite part is the extended ending with Jimmy in full voice and the magnificent and under appreciated Grady Tate keeping the time!

I also love Who's Afraid of Virgina Wolf, Walk on the Wild Side and his recording with Joey D to name a few.

He was one of the most energetic and innovative musicians of our time. He incorporated the harmonics of Coltrane with the rhythm of swing masters like Basie. He is truly missed.

Anthony

Bashin' - with a big band

and

Root Down - very powerful and natural live recording.

ferenc

Yes, all the ones mentioned are great LPs. I was lucky enough to see jimmy perform live at the Jazz cafe in Camden on a couple of occasions. I was stood right next to his organ (ooh err missus) and the old devil got me to sing solo during 8 Counts for Rita. i.e. counting backwards. then he said "now next time this fellas in bed with his woman and she's thinking is that all the time i have got!" He could give out the stick! I can laugh that we had the banter.

There is one DVD of him playing, Funk in the Keys which is recorded live. Fab to see his fingerwork if you can get a copy. sadly the audience is small and somewhat disinterested, more keen to eat nuts and get fat. Such a pity they did not record the stonking crowd at the Jazz Cafe.

Best wishes

Gary

[QUOTE]Originally posted by smiglass:
Jimmy and Wes, Dynamic Duo- these recordings with Wes Montgomery are just fun.

I Got My Mojo Workin- This one was a hit single in the 60's. My favorite part is the extended ending with Jimmy in full voice and the magnificent and under appreciated Grady Tate keeping the time!"


I'll have to second the Organ Grinder Swing album as a really good one to pick up, and it's one of the Verve remasters talked about in an earlier thread. This one has Kenny Burrell and Grady Tate who just simmers behind the kit.

Max