Jimmy Smith - Jimmy Smith's Finest Hour

Jimmy Smith's Finest Hour Review

 

by Joshua L. Rosenberg

Jimmy Smith's Finest Hour gathers 11 tracks from the organist's Verve releases, ten from the period 1962-1966, and one 1995 collaboration with young lion trumpeters Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton. Smith thrives in diverse settings, ranging from Oliver Nelson-led big bands to small groups featuring guitarists Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery. Although this compilation is a good choice for listeners new to Smith's funky blues/jazz/gospel approach, the absence of any cuts from his fine Blue Note albums of the late '50s and early '60s keeps it from being truly representative of his finest work. 

Jimmy Smith   

Jimmy Smith's Finest Hour       

01 Walk On The Wild Side 00:00 02 Ol' Man River 05:57 03 Organ Grinder's Swing 09:57 04 Got My Mojo Workin' 12:13 05 Hobo Flats 20:16 06 Blues For Del 25:02 07 The Cat 31:21 08 Blues In The Night 34:48 09 The Sermon 39:37 10 James And Wes 47:21 11 Papa's Got A Brand New Bag 55:35 Organ, Vocals – Jimmy Smith Guitar – Kenny Burrell (tracks: 3, 4, 6 to 9) Saxophone [Alto] – Phil Woods (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5) Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8), Urbie Green (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8) Trumpet – Ernie Royal (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8) Bass – George Duvivier (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 to 9) Drums – Grady Tate (tracks: 3, 4, 7, 8, 10)