Great Jazz Organ
Rare Limited Release Blue Note CD - Now out-of-print. Jimmy Smith opens Blue Note's jazz organ compilation with "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," featuring guitarist Quentin Warren and drummer Donald Bailey in an organ combo delight that captures the essence. Together, they stir up a powerful concoction that dances with cool satisfaction. As Jimmy McGriff interprets "All About My Girl" with Morris Dow and Jackie Mills, he provides a convincing argument as to why some of us would want to boogie all night long. All that's missing is the dance floor and the company. Several tracks appear here on Blue Note's Great Jazz Organ compilation that are not currently available from their original albums. Big John Patton's "The Silver Meter," from Along Came John, represents a facet of the organ combo movement of the 1960s that became quite popular. It was soulful, easy on the ears, and came with a gut-check that blew the blues right through it. Freddie Roach's "Brown Sugar," from the album of the same name, features Joe Henderson along with organ, guitar and drums in a saucy romp that parties hearty. Baby Face Willette's "Face to Face," also from an album of the same name, features tenor saxophonist Fred Jackson along with guitarist Grant Green, organist Willette, and drummer Ben Dixon. Together, they drive hard in a fiery romp that lights up the night. Reuben Wilson interprets "Hot Rod" with George Coleman, Lee Morgan, Grant Green and Idris Muhammad, from Love Bug, which creates in instant shuffle, taking the quintet from zero to 90 in no time at all. Brother Jack McDuff closes the compilation with "Ya'll Remember Boogie," from Who Knows What Tomorrow's Gonna Bring?, featuring a big band sound from a ten-piece band. He rocks the night away, placing the spotlight on Joe Beck's fiery guitar and his own interpretation of how forcefully a hot organ powerhouse band should smoke.