Search - Jimmy Scott :: Lost & Found

Amazing voice for magnificent love songs

JEAN-MARIE JUIF | BESANCON France | 06/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Little Jimmy Scott will be eighty in a couple of years.Maybe it's time to discover one of the most amazing voices of the 20th century.This funny,moving small man,who suffered a rare illness as a child that caused him growth's troubles,and among them a curious,high-pitched voice,has been denied,and humiliated,for most of his life;he really started his recording carreer at seventy.These sessions (october 1972 and March 1969) consists mainly in unissued recordings (tracks 1 to 5).They are simply magnificent.During the unissued session,Jimmy Scott is backed by Ray Bryant,piano,David Spinozza,guitar,Richard Davis,bass,and a surprising Billy Cobham on drums."the folks who live on the hill" may be the greatest rendition of this tune;"for once in my life" ,"I have dreamed" and "stay with me" are somptuous versions.The beautiful "dedicated to you" was magnificently recorded by Johnny Hartman with John Coltrane;here is another wonderful version.
Tracks 6-10 ,recorded 1969,includes Junior Mance,piano,Eric Gale and Billy Butler,guitar,Ron Carter,bass and Bruno Carr,drums;"Day by day" is a masterpiece;Billie Holiday's influence is evident here,as allways in Jimmy Scott's singing."I wish I knew" is another marvel.Jimmy Scott's singing may be the most moving one with Billie's;I guess it's time to discover this sweet,gentle man,who was so sadly forgotten for years and years.Hope he'll bring us joy and emotion for many more years."

Simply Magnificent!

Barbara Moorman | Lindenwold, New Jersey USA) | 03/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are not enough words to describe this cd. I first heard itin a record store in Philadelphia.It sounded so beautiful that Itold them to give me that cd. Iwasn`t familiar with the voice. I just told them to give me thatcd. After I listened to it when I got home, I couldn`t wait to go back to see if he had any more cdsby this artist because I wanted tobuy thm all. I bought all that I saw and I constantly play them andI never get tired of his music. Iwas surprised to find that there wasn`t a single song thatI didn`t like, especially the song entitled"You`ll Never Miss Your Water Until Your Well Run Dry." That oneblows me away just like all the rest and I wondered why or suchartist could have stayed hidden from me for such a long time. Iread that he was greatly influenced by "Lady Day." Any record by him is a good investmentbecause you`ll love his music as I do. You can`t go wrong with purchasing any of his music."

One of the most gifted of all singers.

Mr. C. Eales | London, UK | 10/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is indeed a wonderful album, containing some incredible performances from Jimmy Scott. In this one collection, we are blessed to hear Mr Scott sing with power and intensity, grace, and the most gentle melancholy. His ability to express emotion like no one else is evident on the beautiful and understated "I Wish I Knew", while "For Once in My Life" and "I Have Dreamed" present Jimmy singing with an almost unconfined honesty, to which many singers would be lucky to ever come close. He keeps it simple on "Dedicated to You" but the results are just as lovely, and "Unchained Melody" sees him hit notes with an effect that few could match. The highlight though must be "Day by Day", which I would suggest represents one of the finest vocal performances ever recorded. On this one song, he manages to make me feel longing for such a deep and profound love as the one he describes, and joy at the emotion he expresses, yet an almost indefinable sadness at the power of it all, and the way that he abandons himself into the song with something close to hopelessness. This is worth anybodies time and attention, an album that I will never tire of, and will always appreciate."