JOS - Softly As A summer Breeze

[Soulstation1]

the 10th RVG of JOS

i've only spun it twice...

anyone like the vocals?

fav songs?

see the pic of JOS standing next to the scratched up Leslie Speaker?

VIVA JOS

Edited February 23, 2006 by Soulstation1

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I like Jimmy's early albums of mainly standards - like "Pretty for the people", "Standards", "Lonesome road" and "Fats Waller". Fave one is "Jimmy Smith trio + LD". Haven't played "Softly as a summer breeze" for a while - I have the Conn version. Photo of JOS sitting at BIII with Bill Henderson in background. Nary a scratched Leslie in sight.

I certainly like Bill's vocals on "Ain't no use" and "Ain't that love". Can't remember the others.

Thanks for reminding me. I'll play it this evening.

MG

[Big Al]

Seems strange that this one would get the RVG treatment. It just came out as a Conn in '98!

Isn't this the only time Philly Joe was on a JOS record?

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Got this on right now - just finishing. I like the Bill Henderson vocals quite a lot. He has a funny diction which might be a regional accent (don't know where he's from and anyway, I ain't a native) or it might be an attempt at a "refined" accent such as Ernie Andrews so wonderfully satirises in "Parker's mood". But for his singing, no problems for me.

And I love the photo on the cover - the expression on JOS' face under that umbrella is wunnerful.

MG

[Soul Stream]

This has grown into one of my most listened to JOS albums. I bet I've listened to this album more than any other album of JOS in the last year. Why? I can't tell you exactly, except that his playing is at a very, very, very high level here. Hackensack is just a mind blower. His flow on that cut is unbelievable. Kenny Burrell's tone kills here....I don't know, I LOVE it. And the song selection is above par, These Foolish Things, It could Happen To You, Sometime's I'm Happy, Someone to Watch Over Me...wow. These are all some of my favorite tunes so that plays a part of why I'm so drawn to this. Bill Henderson and those tracks are a nice addition although they get limited play for me. I like Ain't That Love the most of those tracks, but all are worthy of study for an organist and Jimmy plays some great stuff backing him up.

[mikeweil]

That's about the only JOS Blue Note I really took some effort to get - I had to order it from True Blue as EMI Germany didn't distribute it for some reason, or only for a few months after its initial release as a Connoisseur CD.

I got it mainly for the vocals: I knew the Bill Henderson tracks from a Japanese LP and loved them, still do. I wish Alfred Lion would have done a whole album with him, but it seems he wasn't much into vocals.

Yes, it's the only time JOS and PJJ recorded together. Those who expect fireworks may be disappointed - it's the subtle side of both that's displayed here.

It's one of my favourite JOS albums, I have to admit .....

[Big Al]

Yes, it's the only time JOS and PJJ recorded together. Those who expect fireworks may be disappointed - it's the subtle side of both that's displayed here.

Understood! Along those same lines, I think my favorite session of JOS with Art Blakey at the skins are the three tracks that ended up on SIX VIEWS OF THE BLUES. Very understated, yet solid as a rock!

[Shawn]

Very nice record. I'm also very fond of the album released in the "Standards" series...in fact that is one of my favorite Smith sessions.

[Soul Stream]

Very nice record. I'm also very fond of the album released in the "Standards" series...in fact that is one of my favorite Smith sessions.

I agree 100%. Standards and Softly have been my two fav JOS for a while.

[CJ Shearn]

I'm perfectly happy with the Connoiseur of this title so I'm not upgrading. I was listening to this the other day, its one of the last sessions when Jimmy is heavy into that weirdo swirling sheets of sound thing he experimented with between 57-8. Donald Bailey's playing on "Someone to Watch Over Me" is amazing.. perfect in that context.

Edited February 24, 2006 by CJ Shearn

[Soul Stream]

Jeeeeezzz....

I just read in the new liner notes to Softly As A Summer Breeze that it was recorded the day after the HouseParty/Sermon session!!!! I mean I just can't fathom ANYBODY creating that much legendary music in 2 days. Ungodly. Jimmy was undoubtedly a genius exploding with creativity at that time.

[Jim R]

Wow... being one who doesn't (re)buy much Blue Note stuff anymore, I hadn't even noticed that this album had been re-released with added tracks with Bill Henderson. I've been wanting to find more stuff by Henderson. I have his date with Oscar P, as well as his Vee Jay discs, and I heard some stuff on KCSM awhile back that knocked me out (might have been an unreleased live show, if memory serves).

I've always liked SAASB, especially "hackensack" and "sometimes I'm happy".

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Jeeeeezzz....

I just read in the new liner notes to Softly As A Summer Breeze that it was recorded the day after the HouseParty/Sermon session!!!! I mean I just can't fathom ANYBODY creating that much legendary music in 2 days. Ungodly. Jimmy was undoubtedly a genius exploding with creativity at that time.

I hadn't noticed that; I file my albums in order of the earliest date of recording, so "The sermon" falls into 1957. Otherwise they'd be neighbours. A very different mood to this one from the day before.

MG