 Jimmy Smith Mmm, Jimmy Smith's servin' up some home cookin', so let's get greasy! All of Jimmy's Blue Notes are good, about equally so, but this one has the benefit of one of his best covers, which goes a long way in making a choice among his extensive discog. It promises a good ol' unpretentious, stick-to-your-bones, Southern-fried chow-down, and that's exactly what you get. This is before the organist left Blue Note and started serving up Chef Boy-R-Dee straight from the can (for about 40 years now). It's bluesy fun all the way through, groovin' and smiley. A couple of cuts really catch fire – surprisingly, a cover of "I Got a Woman" by Ray Charles is smokin', and guitarist Kenny Burrell cuts into "Motorin' Along" almost like Link Wray. It's all cool, it's all good. Donald Bailey keeps things simple on the drums, frequently just leaving it to the can't-miss pleasure of two-and-four hi-hat, and Percy France lays down some solid if unremarkable sax. Smith leaves out France and Burrell occasionally to allow for total focus on the Hammond, and you can't go wrong with that. Everyone leaves the table full-bellied and burpin', especially you!
Review by Savage Pampas |