Requisites

Open House~Jimmy Smith | By Eddie Carter

During his time at Blue Note, any album by Jimmy Smith was considered something special to have in one’s library. Jimmy knew his instrument and his contributions to help popularize the Hammond B3 organ in Hard-Bop and Soul-Jazz are a notable achievement. Open House (Blue Note BLP 4269/BST 84269) was recorded in 1960 but remained shelved until 1968. The gentlemen joining Jimmy for this informal session are Blue Mitchell (tracks: A1, B1) on trumpet, Jackie McLean (tracks: A1, B1, B2) on alto sax, Ike Quebec (tracks: A1, A2, B1) on tenor sax, Quentin Warren on guitar, and Donald Bailey on drums. This lineup also appears on the companion album, Plain Talk, and my copy used in this report is the 1970 US Stereo reissue.

Side One starts with a visit inside Jimmy’s Open House. The ensemble builds the melody gradually with Jimmy alternating sections with the front line. Blue opens the lead solo with a relaxing informality, then Jackie takes over in low gear on the second reading, building steadily to a satisfying groove. Ike comes in next for a delightful interpretation and Jimmy wails on the closing statement preceding the ending theme and fadeout. Old Folks by Willard Robison and Dedette Lee Hill is one of the prettiest jazz standards ever recorded. It was composed in 1938 and Quebec gets the honors as the only horn, backed by the trio. Ike’s deeply thoughtful stating the pensive theme and also gives a tender first statement. Jimmy closes with a reflective comment before Quebec returns to take the song out with a tender ending.

The sextet begins Side Two with a visit to Jimmy’s Sista Rebecca. After a brief collective theme by the ensemble, Ike moves into a steady medium tempo on the opening chorus with the trio comfortably backing him. Blue follows, sailing smoothly with a sassy groove that’s sure to get the listener to snap their fingers and tap their toes. Jackie’s alto flows nicely on the third reading and Jimmy adds the final touch with some down-home country cooking leading to the theme’s reprise and fadeout. A pretty introduction and melody by McLean begins the 1928 song, Embraceable You by George and Ira Gershwin. The altoist creates a romantic atmosphere with a dreamy lead solo, then Jimmy briefly conveys a loving sentiment into an elegant ending.

Open House was produced by Alfred Lion and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder.  The good news is the musicians are excellent, the music features great solos from the principals and solid support from Warren and Bailey. The issue I have with the record is the microphone placement for Jimmy’s organ has a tone of harshness as he’s playing on two of the tunes (tracks: A1, B1). I think that’s the reason the album wasn’t released after the session was recorded. That issue aside, if you’re a fan of Jimmy Smith, Soul-Jazz, or enjoy jazz organ, I invite you to audition Open House for a spot in your library. It’s one of the albums deserving greater recognition and with a stellar supporting cast of Blue Mitchell, Jackie McLean, and Ike Quebec is worth the price of admission!

~ Plain Talk (Blue Note BST 84296) – Source: Discogs.com
~ Embraceable You, Old Folks – Source: JazzStandards.com
© 2021 by Edward Thomas Carter

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