Customer Reviews

Livin It Up

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Jimmy Smith is the ruler of the Hammond organ, plain and simple. For this particular outing, Verve paired Jimmy with long time collaborator and under-appreciated band leader Oliver Nelson. They grabbed a handful of songs of the day and made them their own. GO AWAY LITTLE GIRL, the heartfelt vocalized plea of Steve Lawrence, takes on a new meaning here under Jimmy's controlled swinging. The sumptuous Latin-tinged (written by guitarist extraordinaire Luis Bonfa) THE GENTLE RAIN comes across like the steam drifting up off the hot summer pavement when gentle rain falls on it. Absolutely great. A spirited reading of the classic Broadway tune THIS NEARLY WAS MINE is handled with class here by Jimmy and Oliver and the band. Very interesting treatment of this standard. Jimmy even gives us a listen to his vocal skills on the funky BIG BOSS MAN, and gives us a reading of a tune EVERYONE knows, the theme from MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. But the standout here is Jimmy and Oliver's reading of the theme from the VALLEY OF THE DOLLS. It is at once sad, yet driving, almost pleading. The arrangement is flawless here, framing Jimmy's every nuance and makes for one of the best versions of this song EVER. It's true that Verve may have gone to the well too many times with some of its artists when it came to collections like this of hits of the day (many think Verve superstar and Jimmy Smith collaborator Wes Montgomery sold out too when he did some of his string/band sessions with arranger/conductor great Don Sebesky; I don't) personally, this is one of my favorite albums. And Jimmy certainly looks like he's living up to the title of this album on the great album cover! Get it and enjoy.

The Verve years (1963 - 73) was very productive and successful for Jimmy Smith with many best-selling albums. The secret formula was using a big band to play the contemporary melodies with great arrangements by Oliver Nelson and Lalo Schifrin, and Smith to fill in with brilliant and intelligent organ solos. "Livin' It Up" from '68 was no exception from this formula that started with the "Bashin'" album (recorded '62, released `63), had it's peak on popularity with the excellent "The Cat" album ('64). Even string orchestra is added to some of the arrangements on "Livin' It Up" to make a sweet and gentle sound (too sweet?) on an overall "middle of the road" album. But there are some highlight to remember from this album - the 1960's cartoon song "Mission Impossible" is played in a stunning arrangement by Oliver Nelson where Smith's Hammond B3 commands the big band to it's limits and on the best track on this album - Refractions - Smiths makes a power demonstration playing one of his most memorable solos in his big band period. Smith is a master of ballads, so the beautiful bossa ballad "Gentle Rain" is treated with respect by Smith with less-than-usual organ runs and chops. The not listed rhythm section is of the highest quality along with the Oliver Nelson hand picked big band. Not among the greatest big band albums on Verve by Smith, "Livin' It Up" still deserves to be in any serious collection. "Livin' It Up" on CD is now out-of-print, so Verve has made this album available through iTunes.