Search - Jimmy Smith :: At the Organ 1

Smith's maturity grows by leaps and bounds on this session

CJ Shearn | New York | 04/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On February 12, 1957 Jimmy Smith was in the middle of a three day run of recording when he was paired with Lou Donaldson, Kenny Burrell, and Art Blakey in a variety of settings. The first track on the CD, "Summertime", is a stunning duet between Smith, and Donaldson, and Smith's chorded solo is a true indication that he already established himself as a master, utilizing effects on the Hammond seldom used before he arrived on the scene. The most notable track here is Kenny Burrell's "All Day Long", which he cut in a jam session the previous month on Prestige. The version here is superior to the version he cut with Donald Byrd, Frank Foster, Doug Watkins, Tommy Flanagan, and Art Taylor, in that it has a smoother well thought out arrangement, and sublime solos. Even though Donaldson, and Burrell's solos move into doubletime courtesy of Art Blakey, Jimmy crafts a great long solo over Art's rock solid shuffle with more than a hint of his signature bluesy grit that would follow just a few years later. The feeling on this tune would serve these players well a year later on "The Sermon" where a similar laid back shuffle groove was established, "At The Organ vol 1" is a superb record that should not be missed."