Search - Brother Jack Mcduff :: Hot Barbeque/Live

These albums set the sound ! ! !

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 03/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Putting HOT BARBEQUE and LIVE on one CD's a real good move... as these are the CDs that really set the WHOLE sound of what a post-Jimmy Smith Ultra bluesy, toe-tappin', juke box rattlin' booty shakin' Jazz organ group's supposed to sound like... and to boot - - LIVE... not the cooled down worked out studio stuff, but TIGHT, HOT and LIVE...



Although Jimmy Smith is usually attributed as to the reason why so many pianists were jumping over to the Hammond, the truth is that it was probably "disciples" Griff and McDuff who helped set the sound just as much, especially if you walked into a club back in the day and got to hear the real thing live. (Jimmy Smith's reputation was as "the virtuoso", whereas Jimmy McGriff played the blues... and Jack McDuff played the blues and COOKED an' BURNED to boot!)



My all time favorite tune on this CD is A REAL GOODUN', because I think it captures the essence of the sound... so hot, so swinging, and you can actually hear the people in the backround getting into it (though at times you can tell some stuff is edited and overdubbed!) - - In addition, I think to be an organist and not atleast know the sound of HOT BARBEQUE as well as ROCK CANDY would be like... claiming to be a guitarist and not knowing the difference between a FENDER or GIBSON, or a classical musician and never having heard of BACH...



Anyway, I already reviewed LIVE... and I stand by my word... what's great about both albums is the variety of ground covered... From gut shaking R & B, to swinging bop and standards grooved up...



Line up on HOT BARBEQUE includes Red Holloway, sax; George Benson on Guitar and the epitome of the perfect Organ Groove drummer Joe Dukes. Live features the same ensemble plus Harold Vick.



In conclusion, these are the albums I recommend to musicians any time they want to play a gig with me and I'm playing organ, because in terms of what an organ group should sound like... this is the foundation. Other organists may have "taken it farther", but in terms of setting the rules of groove, this is THE BOOK ! ! !"

Plenty Mo'

Barbara R. Bonanno | New Jersey | 10/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation is exciting-because Jack McDuff is always great- but this is live. It has some of the problems of most live albums- some so so tracks- but overall- this is great fun and just over-filled with hot barbeque soulful jazz."