Jimmy Smith – Back at the Chicken Shack – Blue Note RVG 09463927772, 43:51 *****:
(Jimmy Smith Hammond B-3 organ; Stanley Turrentine, tenor sax; Kenny Burrell, guitar; Donald Bailey, drums)
The teaming of Hammond B-3 icon, Jimmy Smith, and the ultra funky tenor saxophonist, Stanley Turrentine, was one of Blue Note Records founder, Alfred Lion’s masterful moves. It set the standard for future Hammond/tenor sax pairings. The addition of guitarist Kenny Burrell put the funk meter off the charts. The pairing of these three titans was such a natural move that two full recordings could be produced in a single day. That Chicken Shack and Midnight Special have held up so well is a testament to the genius of all concerned. With Rudy Van Gelder handling engineering duties – and now 47 years later still around to digitally remaster both sessions in crystal clear 24-bit resolution-the upgrade to these two CDs is a no-brainer. Rudy has significantly improved the acoustics from prior CD issues.
Picking out favorite tracks is up to your personal taste as there is not a dud on either session. You don’t need to add a brush stroke to a Renoir or Monet, nor mess with a Smith/Turrentine/Burrell session. The artistry recorded on April 25, 1960 stands for itself.
If you are a lover, as I am, of classic soul jazz, and don’t own these recordings, shame on you! Now with pristine RVG remastering, put these two on your OWN Christmas list and go treat yourself to the best that soul jazz has to offer.
TrackLists = (Midnight Special:) A Subtle One, Midnight Special, Jumpin’ the Blues, Why Was I Born? , One O’clock Jump
(Back at the Chicken Shack:) When I Grow Too Old to Dream, Back at the Chicken Shack, Minor Chant, Messy Bessie, On the Sunny Side of the Street
– Jeff Krow
