Definitive Jimmy Smith

Jimmy Smith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B00006F2WS
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #407,928 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Champ

2. The Sermon

3. Midnight Special

4. Walk On The Wild Side

5. The Cat

6. Got My Mojo Workin'

7. Night Train

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Since he emerged in the mid-1950s, organist Jimmy Smith has represented a unique combination of the soulful and the virtuosic, combining volcanic swing and sturdy back beats with lead lines that burble and burn at blazing speed. Smith spent the early years of his career recording with small groups for Blue Note, and they're well represented here, beginning with his original trio digging into Dizzy Gillespie's "The Champ," from 1956. "The Sermon" is a legendary 20-minute jam from 1958 that has Smith tapping into gospel roots (and quoting the pop song "Teach Me Tonight") with hard-boppers like Art Blakey and Lee Morgan, while "Midnight Special" is by the supergroup of soul jazz, a 1960 summit meeting of Smith, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and drummer Donald Bailey. Smith moved to Verve in 1962 where his energetic organ matched up perfectly with big band charts by arranger Oliver Nelson. It's apparent in "Walk on the Wild Side," an immediate crossover hit. "Got My Mojo Workin'" has Smith singing as well as playing organ, while the concluding "Night Train" has him collaborating with guitar great Wes Montgomery. This is a terrific introduction to Smith's unique fusion of swing, bop, funk, and soul. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth Hammond, February 25, 2005

By 

Alfredo Sanz Hervas (Madrid, Spain, Europe) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Definitive Jimmy Smith (Audio CD)

This is the first Jimmy Smith's album I listen to and must say it's more bluesie than I expected. I'm not a big fan of classic jazz or blues, but I love Hammond sound and Jimmy Smith really delivers a nice Hammond feeling. This seems to be a good starter for the music of Jimmy Smith, although there isn't any song from his debut album at Blue Note, which according to some opinions is his best ever. All the tracks included in this selection are beautiful jazz, with excellent soloists. I recommend this album to those people who like blues or classic jazz.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars walk on the wild side, April 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Definitive Jimmy Smith (Audio CD)

the albulm is good.and it's a good mellow music.