Customer Reviews

Smackwater Jack

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It's pretty hard to put a "category label" on this, like the record companies try to do....let's just call it GREAT MUSIC! Judging from the scope of Quincy Jones' work, he doesn't think of himself as strictly a jazz musician. The music included for consideration here runs the gamut: Carole King's "Smackwater Jack;" Vince Guaraldi's "Cast Your Fate To The Wind;" themes from "Ironside," "The Anderson Tapes" and Bill Cosby's TV-Show theme, "Hikky-Burr" (on which he does the vocal); Ray Brown's lovely "Brown Ballad;" Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" and Quincy's "Guitar Blues Odyssey: From Roots To Fruits." This last deserves some explanation. It's an sampler of the history of the guitar from Robert Johnson through Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass and Eric Clapton to Jimi Hendrix. QUITE AN ODYSSEY!

The list of musicians on the recording looks like everybody's "Poll Winners" from the period: woodwinds Jerome Richardson, Hubert Laws and Pete Christlieb; trumpets Freddie Hubbard, Marv Stamm, Buddy Childers, Snooky Young, Joe Newman and Ernie Royal; trombones Wayne Andre and Garnet Brown; guitars Eric Gayle, Jim Hall, Joe Beck, Toots Thielmans, Arthur Adams and Freddie Robinson...if that's not enough, the REST of the rhythm section includes Grady Tate,Paul Humphries, Bob James, Jakie Byard, Monty Alexander, Joe Sample, Jimmy Smith, Dick Hyman, Ray Brown, Chuck Rainey, Bob Crenshaw, Carole Kaye and Milt Jackson! (NO SLOUCHES HERE ! )

The arrangements are all Quincy's (with an assist from Marty Paich on "The Anderson Tapes") and all sound TERRIFIC under the producing hands of Quincy, Ray Brown and Phil Ramone. This is just a SUPERB ALBUM ! I like it better than the Grammy-Winner it followed, "Walking In Space," just because of the variety of music here, but BOTH are worth collecting !

what a great album!every track is winner-but i especially like WHAT'S GOING ON,BROWN BALLAD,and IRONSIDE.reminds of early 70's-mom brought this album home one night.gone nearly a year now,i consider her wide appreciation of music to be the most important thing she left me with.

I have fond memories as a seven year old wearing out my uncle's promo copy of this album, that a radio station threw away,on my dinky kiddie record player. Now I'm 44 and the album still moves me. Almost every style of music is presented here and the pacing of the record is masterful,with upbeat jazzy songs followed by mellow,peaceful ones. For example the relaxed "Cast your fate to the wind" is followed by the exciting,brassy theme from "ironside" The wonderful guitarist and harmonica virtuoso Toots Theilmans is featured throughout and takes his instruments to new heights. Marvin Gaye's "What's going on" is the album's nine minute tour de force with wonderful solos throughout. Bill Cosby sings the theme to his 1969 TV show and the album closes with "From roots to froots" a wonderful history of blues guitar from leadbelly to Hendrix..Whew! This album should be in everyone's collection. A rich and rewarding listen.

As far as I know,this is the only CD with Q's full 10 min. version of "What's Goin' On"(notice that's the only track not avialable as an mp3). Great arrangement,even overlooking Q's vocal(he ain't Marvin Gaye,but he ain't as bad as A&M's Herb Alpert or Burt Bacharach). Toots Thielmans does some interesting work with guitar,harmonica(even whistling)and later Harry Lookofsky mimics Toots' harmonica solo via a string section. A true all-star lineup-Freddie Hubbard,Hubert Laws,Jerome Richardson,Pete Christlieb,Snooky Young,Milt Jackson,Jim Hall,Grady Tate,Ray Brown,Carol Kaye-even Jimmy smith is a sideman in this group. Dated from it's 1970's sound?-yeah,a bit,and that is part of the charm. But Marvin's anti-war lyrics are needed to be heard again.

Smackwater Jack was one the frist albumes that I had ever heard Intro from my Mother. Jhon Coltrane Impressions was the first,I was about 10 at the time. By the time I heard Smackwater Jack I was about 14 I fell in love it from title one. At the time I didnot even know who Bob James,Grady Tate,Milt Jackson,Eric Gale, And all the other great players on this session wher.Had never even heard of Q.Jones. I am now 50 yrs old, and was so happy to find this CD. I love it even more,This is a fortune to add to any Jazz collection.Bill Cosby is even heard on a selection. I can say that this session could be in the hall of fame. Was recorded in the early 70s it still fits well in the 2000s.

I listen to this everyday and I think it's Quincy's best. A must have, if you are into Rare-Groove, Funk, and Jazz.
hiptuc

this is the Kind of Album that truly Showcases the Much Depth that Quincy Jones has displayed through out His Career.I like the feel&tone of His Cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" for instance.Cast your fate to the Wind has Hsi Trademark Arrangements all over it.the MusicianShip,Arrangements&Production are all on Point here.enjoy

this is the Kind of Album that truly Showcases the Much Depth that Quincy Jones has displayed through out His Career.I like the feel&tone of His Cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" for instance.Cast your fate to the Wind has Hsi Trademark Arrangements all over it.the MusicianShip,Arrangements&Production are all on Point here.enjoy