Search - Jimmy McGriff :: At the Organ

It Gets Better and Better as It Goes On

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 06/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The poor sound quality of this recording initially led me to toss the CD aside for about a year, but I now realize that that was a big mistake. Though true it kinda sounds like it was recorded in a very large bathroom, the sound quality does get better as the recording goes on. I mean, you know, this one wasn't recorded by Rudy in East Orange, however, the lack of perfection is made up for an incredible raw and live feel, and come to think of it, on relisten I was a bit surprized for a 1963 "King Records" type of blues recording how deep, rich and clear things actually were - - all that aside, this is a heavy swinging blues/groove and Jazz organ recording featuring Larry Frazier on Guitar, Rudolph Johnson on tenor and Jimmy Smith on drums (no, not *the*, but actually a pretty legendary organ drummer in his own right) - - the vibe is a lot like a lot of Jack McDuff's classic organ/tenor sessions, only in many ways a lot rawer. Rudolph Johnson, though not a household name at time blows raw and funky like a texas tenor, at other times, shockingly modern and progressive, especially for this type of a raw blues session. Larry Frazier holds court equally well... making me wonder where he is today. - - Definitely get this session and hear a taste of Jimmy Smith style organ on fatback, chitlin and steroids !"