Requisites

The Boss ~ Jimmy Smith | By Eddie Carter

Jimmy Smith‘s impact on jazz in the sixties was immense, influencing every other organist that followed him. In 1968, he came to Atlanta, Georgia and performed at Paschal’s La Carousel, the only nightclub where blacks and whites were welcome. The Boss (Verve Records V6-8770) is a little gem that’s sadly overlooked because of Root Down, Jimmy’s funkier live album recorded four years later. It’s still an enjoyable album that steps into the blues with the assistance of George Benson (tracks: A1 to A3, B2), Nathan Page (B1) on guitar, and Donald Bailey on drums. My copy is the original 1969 US Stereo release.

The set opens with Some of My Best Friends Are Blues, the first of three by Jimmy Smith, which he introduces with soulful charm. George and Donald join in to complete the soulful melody, then George offers the first course of this delectable dish. Jimmy delivers the main course with the succulent support of the rhythm section into a delicious ending. The trio glides into The Boss next, with Smith dispensing the opening chorus. Benson leads off with an extremely welcome solo. Smith takes an adventurous turn in a vibrant, unrestrained display before settling down to reprise the melody and fade gently into silence.

This Guy’s In Love With You by Burt Bacharach and Hal David begins with the trio’s beautiful introduction and melody. George starts the opening solo tenderly; then Jimmy holds the audience spellbound in the following statement preceding the ending theme and George’s slow dissolve. Side Two starts with Nathan Page taking over the guitar duties for Jimmy’s third original, Fingers. Smith states the melody rather simply, then proceeds into a marvelous interpretation with authority. Page is up next and delivers an inspired performance with a fine flow of ideas. Smith adds the exclamation point with a few final comments into the ending theme and graceful fadeout.

George Benson returns for the set’s finale, Tuxedo Junction, by Buddy Feyne, Erskine Hawkins, Bill Johnson, and Julian Dash. This popular song from the swing era is taken at a medium groove for the ensemble’s melody. George’s opening solo is as mellow as a fine wine, and Jimmy closes with a captivating improvisation ahead of the reprise and graceful fade out. Esmond Edwards produced The Boss, and Val Valentin was the man behind the dials of the recording. The sound quality is good, with a “you are there” feeling, placing the listener among the La Carousel audience as the group performs.

If you’re a jazz organ fan like me, I invite you to check out The Boss by Jimmy Smith on your next shopping trip. Jimmy, George Benson, Nathan Page, and Donald Bailey take a splendid ride through a bluesy, laid-back landscape in a live album that, though overlooked and underrated, is delightful to listen to and should be considered for a spot in your library! ~ Root Down (Verve Records V6-8806) – Source: Discogs.com ~ This Guy’s In Love With You, Tuxedo Junction – Source: Wikipedia.org © 2023 by Edward Thomas Carter

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