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A Date With Jimmy Smith, Volume Two ~ Jimmy Smith | By Eddie Carter

This morning’s subject brings us back to The Manhattan Towers Hotel Ballroom for A Date With Jimmy Smith, Volume Two (Blue Note BLP 1548/BST 81548). Jimmy Smith was an accomplished pianist who began playing the organ at the age of twenty-eight. He made the instrument popular for jazz improvisation and would lead me to discover the other organists who followed him. Joining the organist again are Donald Byrd (tracks: A1, B2) on trumpet, Lou Donaldson (tracks: A1, B1, B2) on alto sax, Hank Mobley (tracks: A1, B2) on tenor sax, Eddie McFadden (tracks: A1, B2) on guitar, and Art Blakey (tracks: A1, B2) on drums. The copy used in this report is a friend’s 1984 Toshiba-EMI Limited Japanese Mono reissue sharing the original catalog number.

Side One is occupied by an extended version of I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Henry Nemo, and John Redmond. The rhythm section swings easily into the melody stated by Lou. Donald sets the pace with a relaxed attitude on the first solo, next Hank gives a cheerfully buoyant reading. Eddie follows with a simple, bluesy statement, then Lou brings a good deal of enthusiasm to his interpretation. Jimmy is just a pleasure in the finale leading to Lou’s closing chorus and Jimmy’s ending. Side Two opens with I’m Getting Sentimental Over You by George Bassman and Ned Washington. This is a duet by Donaldson and Smith who embrace the jazz standard with elegant simplicity on the melody and during two touching interpretations before a pretty finale.

Hank Mobley’s Groovy Date is a blowing session that coaxes everyone to great heights and allows each member a chance to shine. Lou wastes no time getting down to business on the first solo, then Donald takes us on an eventful ride. Hank makes an indelible imprint on the third interpretation. Eddie responds with a spirited contribution and Jimmy offers a zestful joy on the next reading. Art gets the last word in a lively conversation with the front line into the close. A Date With Jimmy Smith, Volume Two was produced by Alfred Lion and the man behind the dials was Rudy Van Gelder. This Toshiba-EMI reissue is a wonderful recording with an impressive soundstage that brings the group to your listening room with superb definition. If you’re a fan of jazz organ, make A Date With Jimmy Smith, Volume Two on your next vinyl hunt. Like its companion, it’s a solid album with a superb ensemble that gives a glimpse into what was to come from Jimmy Smith in the next few years!

~ A Date With Jimmy Smith, Volume One (Blue Note BLP 1547/BST 81547) – Source: Discogs.com
~ I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart, I’m Getting Sentimental Over You – Source: JazzStandards.com
© 2022 by Edward Thomas Carter


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