Search - Jimmy Smith :: Respect / Livin It Up

Respect/Livin' It Up, a two-on-one release from Verve Select, brings together two classic albums from Jimmy Smith, the world's premier jazz-soul organist. Smith became a star with Verve Records in the mid-1960s. He leaned on superb big band arrangements by Oliver Nelson, a change from his earlier, small-group recordings on Blue Note. With Respect in 1967, Smith did something that thrilled his fans: he returned to a small group setting in Rudy Van Gelder's now-legendary studio with his old Blue Note guitarist Thornel Schwartz, as well as Eric Gale, bassists Ron Carter and Bob Bushnell, and drummers Grady Tate and Bernard Purdie. They jammed on funky R&B covers, including the title cut, made famous by Aretha Franklin, and one original. They also recorded the humorous - and still funky - cover of the "Mickey Mouse" theme, which was issued as a single but left off the LP. A year later Smith recorded Livin' It Up in Hollywood, where he recorded again with Oliver Nelson and a big band, anchored by the rhythm section of Carol Kaye, Ray Brown and Larry Bunker, and sweetened by a string section. Smith and the band tackled TV and movie themes, straight blues and a bossa nova. Musically diverse and challenging, Smith's driving, supple organ brought it all home. Now these two classic Verve albums are, amazingly, on CD for the first time in the U.S.! The rare "Mickey Mouse" single is now on CD for the first time ever. The set's 28-page booklet includes reproductions of both album's cover art, the original liner notes, rare photos, detailed recording information, and new liner notes by Downbeat associate editor Aaron Cohen, with quotes from several of the sessions' participants.