Six Views Of The Blues

Jimmy Smith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 22, 2011)
• Original Release Date: October 19, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note
• Run Time: 46 minutes
• ASIN: B00001ZSXN
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,111 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This previously unreleased album was recorded in 1958 at one of 31 sessions that the phenomenal and prolific organist Jimmy Smith participated in during his tenure at Blue Note. Credited with transforming the Hammond B-3 from a novelty item into one of the most popular instruments in jazz, Smith helped create the organ-trio sound and establish the soul-funk style so popular on jukeboxes across the U.S. in the late 1950s. An all-blues program with Cecil Payne wielding a rather cumbersome baritone saxophone, Six Views is hardly revolutionary--perhaps explaining why the album was originally kept in the can. Thankfully, today's criteria for what is release worthy differ from the standards in the late 1950s, allowing us to hear Smith with guitarist Kenny Burrell and drummer Art Blakey in what has become a rare recording. The grooves here are sublime--with a stellar "St. Louis Blues"--and Payne proves to be an unusually nimble soloist on the big baritone. Nota bene: "The Swingin' Shepherd Blues" was previously issued on the Blue Note single 45-1711. --Mitchell Feldman

Product Description

Six Views Of The Blues by Jimmy Smith

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've Been Waiting 42 years for this baby..., March 12, 2000

By 

Frank Bock - See all my reviews

This review is from: Six Views Of The Blues (Audio CD)

I can't believe it took 40+ years to release this album. Mike Cuscuna does point out in the liner notes that it was Smith's 19th recording session in 29 months, so maybe it just got lost in the shuffle. It's a damn good album though. Lots of blues lots of soul. I can't listen to the first two tracks, St. Louis Blues and The Swingin' Shepherd Blues enough. Both are great. It is fantastic too, to hear Cecil Payne on bari. This is my first time hearin' this guy play and he is good.

The reviewer below me got it right too... Blues No.4 really cooks. It'll knock you right down. the other songs (all Smith originals except St. Louis Blues and The Swingin' Shepherd Blues) are pleanty good as well.

Jimmy Smith's playing is down and bluesy on the whole album, and really complements Payne's hard bari-sound. Burrell is great, though sometimes you really have to listen for him because Smith and Payne are really where it's at on this deal. Blakey's a great presence as usual (on half the tracks) as is Donald Baily. Both drummers are pretty subdued (especially Blakey! ) but the playing is there.

Anyways, get the album. It's yet another Bluenote Gem. Get it and then get Larry Young's Unity and really get down and listen to both these great organ players.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Addition to Jimmy Smith BN Catalog, October 26, 1999

By 

Thomas Aikin (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Six Views Of The Blues (Audio CD)

Fans of Jimmy's uptempo, soulful, blues numbers will find a lot to like on this release. Blues No. 4 in particular really smokes. Cecil Payne is a nice contrast on bari sax.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars His best album, hands down!, May 11, 2006

By 

FILIP HADZI-STEFANOV "Filthy" (Port Washington, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Six Views Of The Blues (Audio CD)

I am a huge Jimmy Smith (organ) fan, and I own almost all of his blue note recordings. I have most of them on cd and some on LP that are not on CD yet, and I have to tell ya folks this is a must buy for any music fan. It doesn't matter if you like rock, R&B, blues, or jazz. This album will take you where ever it is you wish to go that day. If you're up it will keep you up, if you're down it will ease your pain, if you're mellow it will keep you groovin all day long! It's that perfect. Blues No. 4 features Jimmy Smith's best solo of all time, at least on blue note. In general Jimmy Smith is terrific on every track. Smith and Kenny Burrell (guitar) have excellent communication throughout the session. Kenny Burrell is smooth coast to coast like butter on toast on every track, especially on Blues No. 3. Art Blakey and Donald Baley share the work on drums and they provide a great rytham background. And finally the work of Cecil Payne. Oh my lord does he have a whailin' blues background. When he blows that baritone sax you will feel vibration through your soul. He is simply on fire on this album. He has a good solo on every track, especially on track 2. He enters at 1 minute and 11 seconds and takes off. Buy this album and you will listen to it for the rest of your life. I've had it for 5 years and I still listen to it every week! Make sure you play it loud!!!