Jimmy Smith - Damn (9 tracks) +Album Reviews

Damn good funky jazz. Pop's Lounge Cats give it a 10....

yygsgsdrassil | Crossroads America | 06/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...I know I am never able to beat my Dad or his buddies in any type of debate, because they'd rather change the subject (when I've got a valid point which whiffs of the truth) than lose to me. So whenever I see this fake arthritis attack coming, I end up beating them to their punchline and agree to whatever subject they come up with.Sometimes that worked, sometimes it made things worse. I also used to be highly resentful that these old birds would play only a certain type of jazz whenever they hung out and talk. I was never a big Hammond organ fan, nor did I liked the Wes Montgomery chorded melodies, nor was I the greatest fan of 60s/70s instrumentals which sound like they came straight from the sound track of 'Starsky and Hutch'. Yeh, that's right. I think I'm pretty progressive thinking.Yeh, and overall, I know more about music than they do.But, one night Pops and his buddies had it goin' on at the hang out. They, of course, were their usual obstinate and loud selves. Denying, lying and signifying. But, you know what? I had a blast with these ol' birds. The music playing seemed to set the tone, and I never will forget this gathering. The music? Jimmy Smith's "Damn". I love it, especially the remakes of "Watermelon Man" and "Poppa's Got a Brand New Bag".Pop's buddies (Lounge Cats) give it a 10. I'm afraid this one time I'd have to agree with them.They got me again."

"This cat is the eighth wonder of the world" Miles Davis

Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 07/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Miles used to think this about Jimmy Smith, and he was right. Jimmy really was a marvel of the jazz world! He was an incredible bopper but he also invented the organ jazz thing. He has been incredibly influential. And rightly so because in a sense he invented a way of playing jazz, organ soul jazz. But this one is probably the best late album by Jimmy Smith (and it is straight ahead jazz, bebop I might say). He played exceptional music 'til his last days, nevertheless this album is one of the best of his late years (1995 .... you can buy Off the top too, the album he recorded with Benson, Turrentine, Carter, Tate in his late years, the eighties maybe, it's fabolous!!!!). He is accompanied here by a cast of great, really great "new" cats (Nicholas Payton, Roy Hardgrove, Mark Whitfield and more.. ) but don't forget, Jimmy is still the star. Even if it's not an historic recording from Smith (50's, 60's) it is of that quality. You can believe me. Jazz of the highest quality with an old LION still growling as he used to! It is an album of standards and Jazz originals. Among the best tune I point out the blues opener, "Papa's got a brand new bag" from James Brown songbook, played here as a thunderous Jazz anthem. I remember to have read that in the sixties when James Brown (which would like to play the organ and he played in a childish way in his concerts) heard Jimmy Smith playing, he literally shot his Hammond Organ!! I can't think what he could do if he had the opportunity to listen to this Smith's version of his "Bag"!!! Hi hi hi hi !!! =))))) Then I would say "Scrapple from the apple" a line from Charlie Parker's pen. Finally I would say that this album is very very well recorded, audiophile quality I'd say. My Avalon speakers really appreciate this one! BUYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY this one absolutly before it goes out of print. Believe me."

Damn is right. I say double Damn!

FunkyTown | Fort Worth, TX United States | 01/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was lucky enough to spot this in a bargain bin at Half Price Books for two bucks. I knew I was reaping the benefit of some clerk's skipping some funkology classes. He knew not what he was price-slashing. For, this is GOLD, my friends.

Jimmy is at the top of his game. It's just ridiculous. He and Mark Whitfield (guitar) dial it in with speed and accuracy but still maintain a high degree of funktitude and soul. It's full of smoking solos peppered with tight horn lines and even tighter syncopated backbeats. Very, very, very, groovy.

This was Jimmy's first recording with Arthur Taylor (one of the most respected and sought-after drummers in the '50's and '60's) and happened to be, unfortunately, Mr. Taylor's last recording at all. This album was dedicated to his memeory.

Pick this one up. I swear on a stack of James Brown records you won't be sorry."

The emphatic title says it all.

Norm Cash | Ferndale, MI USA | 08/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"JOS...James Oscar Smith. He was legendary. This album is ...Incredible...the word used in the titles of so many Jimmy Smith albums over the years. This album was released in 1995, so it's pretty late in Jimmy's recording years as he started recording in the fifties. It's as hot as any Jimmy Smith recording. Jimmy is cooking on this album and the young horn players and rhythm section are equally cooking by his side, showing that they are able to stand in the same kitchen with the master.

Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton on trumpet. Abraham Burton on alto, Ron Blake, Mark Turner and Tim Warfield on tenor saxophones. Mark Whitfield plays guitar. Christian McBride on bass. Bernard Purdie and Arthur Taylor on the set on different tracks.

Solos are batted around by the young bucks like "line up and take your turn" swatting the ping pong ball. Be ready when you're up. The ball is on fire.

The master on the B-3 is inspired by it all. Each of JOS solos cruise like a Ford Mustang firing up a gear at just the right time.

If you don't know Jimmy Smith, this is a fine place to start. After this album, you'll want more. Understand that the most significant recordings by Jimmy Smith historically are on Blue Note and Verve records. The earlier of the two, the Blue Note years are smaller groups, from trios to quintets generally. They're my favorites. Some prefer the Verve years, which come after the Blue Note sessions, when Jimmy was most often set in a big band, often with orchestrations by Lalo Schifrin or band leaders.

Into the seventies Smith goes into funk and popular styles for a number of record labels, which sometimes work well and other times are just kind of strange--not that there's anything wrong with that.

But again, on "Damn!" you'll be hearing straight ahead jazz. And to that end I'll close by saying "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" is a good leadoff track. James Brown and Jimmy Smith had some things in common. You didn't want to cross either man. But you might like to follow both closely and pay attention.

Cheers! Or should I say..."

Search - Jimmy Smith :: Damn

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