Top 5 Jimmy Smith sessions

[riverrat]

I just spun the JRVG of "Back at the Chicken Shack" and concluded that this is great greazy music and my all time favorite Jimmy Smith session.

The only other session of his that I have is "Cool Blues".

Doesn't this guy have quite a huge discography? What are his 5 best sessions? What should I pick up next?

[Guy Berger]

I just spun the JRVG of "Back at the Chicken Shack" and concluded that this is great greazy music and my all time favorite Jimmy Smith session.

The only other session of his that I have is "Cool Blues". 

Doesn't this guy have quite a huge discography?  What are his 5 best sessions?  What should I pick up next?

You definitely need Midnight Special, from the same session as Back at the Chicken Shack. (Overall I think the album you have is a little better, but we're quibbling.) Next I'd get The Sermon, which is somewhat comparable to Cool Blues and has a similar lineup.

Guy

Edited January 28, 2005 by Guy Berger

[Brandon Burke]

If you like Cool Blues then I have to assume you'll like The Sermon and House Party as they're from the same era in his career. Similar sound.

BTW: I much prefer this stuff over the Back at the Chicken Shack.

[Soulstation1]

buy every rvg remastered blue note

Back At The Chicken Shack needs it own spot, i was thinkin' about this today

ss1

[Alon Marcus]

My favorite Smith is on albums with Wes Montgomery and Grady Tate. Tate's drumming elevates Smith to new and exciting levels, like his solo on the tune "Mellow Mood".

[Jim R]

If you like Cool Blues then I have to assume you'll like The Sermon and House Party as they're from the same era in his career. Similar sound.

BTW: I much prefer this stuff over the Back at the Chicken Shack.

I agree. I would also recommend the Mosaic material (which I have as individual discs, including AT THE ORGAN- with Donaldson, Burrell, Blakey and others).

I love everything he did with Kenny Burrell, and would recommend ORGAN GRINDERS SWING, BLUE BASH, STANDARDS, and SIX VIEWS OF THE BLUES.

[michel devos]

True.His discography is incredibly expanded and of unequal quality...If you like the trio sessions, "Groovin' at Small's Paradise" and "Crazy Baby" are musts.

For more quartet sessions with Turrentine, 'Midnight Special , Fourmost are excellent, as well as Home Cookin with Percy France.

For a touch of big band, try Bashin.

But frankly, isolate his top 5 is a very hard job...

[Soul Stream]

The Sermon

Live At Small's Paradise

Midnight Special

Organ Grinder Swing

Crazy Baby

[Alfred]

• The sermon!
  
• Midnight special
  
• Home cookin'
  
• Softly as a summer breeze
  
• Six views of the blues
  

[king ubu]

Don't forget "Crazy! Baby" - one of his best, and probably my favorite session without any horns!

The live 2CD set available in the RVG series, "Groovin' at Smalls'" is another great one without horns.

ubu

[Big Al]

Pretty much any Blue Note Jimmy is worth having. Not a bad one in the bunch.

Don't ya just HATE mass generalizations like that?

[Chrome]

Root Down!

[JSngry]

[Brad]

Open House Plain Talk.

However, I don't agree that he never made a bad record for BN. I can't stomach the Smalls Paradise records. I've listened several times but don't care for 'em.

[CJ Shearn]

oh yeah, "Its Necessary" is a great one. "Crazy Baby", "The Sermon", etc........

[Jim Alfredson]

"Crazy Baby" is one of my favorites. I also like the "Standards" compilation that came out a few years ago. Some really mellow, melodic playing by Kenny Burrell and Jimmy on that one.

[riverrat]

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I will probably start with RVGs available through BMG when I re-join.

They also have a "remastered" edition of "Organ Grinder Swing". Does anyone know if this is the Verve Master Edition?

[Jim R]

They also have a "remastered" edition of "Organ Grinder Swing". Does anyone know if this is the Verve Master Edition?

Yep, it was a VME.

[Noj]

Every Jimmy Smith album I own has been listed as a Top 5 candidate.

Edited January 29, 2005 by Noj

[Jazz Kat]

I only heard two Jimmy Smith albums. Home Cookin' and Dynamic Duo, w/ Wes Montgomery. Both were rather enjoyable.

[Jim Alfredson]

I only heard two Jimmy Smith albums. Home Cookin' and Dynamic Duo, w/ Wes Montgomery. Both were rather enjoyable.

You need to remedy that.

Please see this thread... CLICK ME!

[Soul Stream]

Honestly, my top 5 JOS is constantly rotating. He never made a bad Blue Note.

[Guest akanalog]

i think "at the organ volume 2" is my favorite.

i also like "rockin' the boat" a lot.

how is this new verve reissue-the boss. live from 1968 i think.

the sound samples make it sound like it could be pretty lively-sounds like donald bailey might have woken up for a bit. and some young george benson...

[Soul Stream]

i think "at the organ volume 2" is my favorite.

i also like "rockin' the boat" a lot.

how is this new verve reissue-the boss. live from 1968 i think.

the sound samples make it sound like it could be pretty lively-sounds like donald bailey might have woken up for a bit. and some young george benson...

The Boss maybe Smith's BEST recording ever. Know it's not been on any lists, but it's the recording that brings his viruousity together to the point where's it's ridiculous. GET IT!