Product Details

• Actors: Phineas Newborn Jr., Jimmy Smith
• Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: SHANACHIE
• DVD Release Date: February 13, 2001
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000059H9S
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,065 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

• This item is part of The Jazz Scene USA Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The two Jazz Scene USA episodes released here are perhaps the best of this short-lived 1962 series. Pianist Phineas Newborn Jr. created quite a stir in the late '50s, but mental illness kept him from being much of a presence beyond the early '60s. Here we see him at the top of his game--no interview with the host, just great jazz piano. His "Blues for the Left Hand Only" is both groovy and technically impressive, and his classically tinged version of Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" is something even Swee'pea himself would have approved of. Jimmy Smith's set is nothing but full-on balls-to-the-wall organ jazz. "Walk on the Wild Side" starts easy and builds to a mad crescendo with Smith playing with both hands, both feet to the pedal, and his chin. God Bless America. --Kristian St. Clair

From the Back Cover

There can be no question that Phineas Newborn, Jr. (1931-1989) was/is one of Jazz's most important and enduring pianists. Blinded by his dazzling technique during the time he was on the scene, many critics dismissed him without catching on to his brilliant musicality. His Jazz Scene USA appearance gives us an opportunity to witness this amazing musician in action on Theme for Basis, New Blues, Blues Theme for Left Hand Only, Lush Life and Cleo.

Jimmy Smith (b. 1925) exploded onto the jazz scene in 1956 with the first of many great Blue Note LP's. His dynamic work on the Hammond B-3 organ caused everybody to sit up and take notice, and within a few years the jazz world was overpopulated with Smith-inspired disciples, ranging from the very talented down to marginally competent copycats. We see him here working out on Walk on the Wild Side, Mac the Knife, and his tour-de-force 1956 hit, The Champ

"If someone looks at them years form now, we feel these shows will give a genuine idea of what jazz was like in 1962." - STEVE ALLEN

"The first time jazz musicians have been given complete freedom to be - and sound - like themselves on television." - OAKLAND TRIBUNE

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars masters at work, July 18, 2002

By	Blues Boy (florence, Italy) - See all my reviews

I've been waiting for something like this for 35 years!! Thx Amazon.com. The DVD shows a rare "live in TVstudio" session with the great Newborn jr. at his best(before his mental troubles), and an INCREDIBLE Jimmy Smith Trio touched by God, featuring Quentin Warren and Donald Bailey. The sound is very good, but the organ on the sound-mix is a little bit down, anyway sounds GREAT!!! You can get every secret of Jimmy's playing from the overhead shots (doesn't mean that you can do the same...hehehe!) Just buy it. Ten stars could be enought for this DVD.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Gem Liberated From the Vaults ! ! !, June 4, 2001

By	Eddie Landsberg "10 years reviewing on Amazon... (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This was a great TV that hosted by Oscar Brown Jr. and produced by the late great Steve Allen. It only ran one season (1962), but was definitely groundbreaking - - It was distinguished just as much by the incredible guests that came and sat in the casual setting, as the incredible camera work. - -Though the sound is a bit crackly now and then and shows the era in which it was made, the opportunity to see Jimmy Smith and his trio in his prime playing "The Champ", "Walk On The Wild Side" and "Mack The Knife" alone is worth the bread - - in fact, the overhead and unusual shots of Jimmy in action is well worth the price... they're so good you can even see the chords he's playing, his draw bar settings, even his feet from behind the console ! - - Phineas Newborn plays "Theme for Basie," "Lush Life," "Oleo" and "New Blues." - - Its a miracle that a gem like this wasn't lost in the vaults forever... and hurray to Amazon for carrying it !