Search - Jimmy Smith :: Standards

Setting The "Standards" For Organ

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 03/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jimmy Smith's "Standards" album is a delightful look at the greatest of all jazz organists in a relaxed trio setting. Recorded over three sessions from 1957-59, "Standards" is not a greatest hits type collection. If anything it should be viewed as a companion piece to "Home Cookin" (much like "The Sermon" and "House Party" go together) as both CDs derive most of their material from 7/15/58 and 5/24/59 sessions. Like so many jazz releases, all the upbeat numbers from the recording dates went to one title ("Home Cookin") and all the contemplative ballads to another (originally on vinyl as "On The Sunny Side" and now on CD as "Standards", as it should be noted that the last half of "Standards" had never previously been issued.) If you want one of those barnburner Jimmy Smith discs with lots of soulful, fiery grooves, then you may have come to the wrong place. But if you want an album of smooth (the true meaning of the word), thoughtful jazz performed impeccably by the masterful trio of Kenny Burrell, Donald Bailey and Jimmy Smith, then you are in for a treat."

Alot of kenny burrell and not too much jimmy

macfawlty | potomac, MD USA | 01/19/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Kenny Burrell is the leader on this title and Jimmy's playing is very much in the background for almost all of this recording. It is a good guitar album, but not so much a Jimmy title."