Spiral

Dr. Lonnie Smith | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 25, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Palmetto Records
• ASIN: B003G4IX9M
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,155 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The shaman of jazz organ, March 4, 2011

By 

Terje Biringvad "HammondFreak" (Oslo, Norway) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spiral (Audio CD)

Innovation is ageless when it comes to Dr. Lonnie Smith. The shaman of the funky soulful Hammond B-3 organ never stops to surprise when further developing the jazz organ to new limits. Dr Lonnie Smith has in this decade proved an amazing ability to renew his musical expressions and messages in various formats; he seems to never get empty of new ideas. 'Spiral' is no exception in this respect. Smith's artistic freedom to explore new territories at Palmetto Records apparently knows no boundaries; from being 'Too Damn Hot', having defined 'Jungle Soul', propelled a "Rise Up!", "Spiral"'ed the fourth album with a back to the basic jazz organ format - the Hammond B-3 organ, guitar and drums. His current touring band mates, guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg and drummer Jamire Williams, makes "Spiral" to the complete trio album, probably Smiths best trio for years.

No radio edits on the "Spiral" album for the avid listener since the trio stretches out on lengthy tunes starting with "Mellow Mood", written by the late organ great Jimmy Smith, performed more funky than the original, with Smith catching the vibe from Williams' funky drumming, dwelling into some fast runs on the organ ivories (listen to the organ bass lines...wow) wonderfully supported by guitarist Kreisberg. On "I've Never Been In Love Before", drummer Williams impressive use of brushes to excel Smith into hard straight swing feel, before switching to sticks to keep the pace with Smith's use of trembling chords supported with full drawbar setting, is the highlight. The Slide Hampton classic "Frame for the Blues", slowly progress along the blues patterns and inventions, i.e. a pure down to earth organ blues experience. The high energy is back on "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" when Kreisberg's inventive guitar riffing supported by Williams' progressing funky latin drumming, gives Smith plenty of space for some fierce single line solos. "Sweet and Lovely" is being treated well by the trio; Smith scatting (or humming, moaning but no singing) along with his organ lines supported by a funky rhythm section works surprising well. Album title melody "Spiral" has a more mystical mood; wonderfully supported with great syncopated drumming and guitar fretwork, Smith's organ mood using sparse single lines supported by organ drawbar sound colors, is highly effective to color the mystery mood. Harold Mabern's "The Beehive" (first recorded on Lee Morgan's "Live at the Lighthouse") is a hard hitting neo-bop tune, the trio turns it in to a fusion version with some stunning guitar synthesizer work from Kreisberg and expressive "bee sounds" on the organ, by far the most edgy tune on the album. The show ends peacefully with a beautiful version of "Sukiyaki" (yes, the one we learnt at school...)

Get an appointment with your Doctor for a dose of "Spiral" today; his soulful and funky prescription will certainly make your day!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So pleasing to the ear, September 2, 2011

By 

a perfect stranger (Cleveland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spiral (MP3 Download)

Saw and heard the good Doctor for the first time this spring at the Cleveland Jazz Festival. He was one of the opening gigs for Medeski, Martin and Wood, the headliners for the show and final show on the final day. Smith was the highlight of the show, without a doubt. I was mesmerized watching the whole band, especially Smith. He appeared to be having so much fun that it was infectious. Grunting and groaning, kicking, squirming...and all the time grinning or grimacing and playing.

This disc (MP3 really) is phenomenal. 'Frame for the Blues' I remember from the show so it's my favorite. The whole thing is great, though. Bass heavy so be prepared to turn that down a bit so as not to obscure the other, more subdued sounds.