Sunday Jazz: Jimmy Smith

The organ is probably my favorite jazz instrument. There's something about the sound of an organ when it really gets cranked that just gets to me. It's an instrument full of power and soul, and one of the best at releasing these qualities was Jimmy Smith. I think it's incredible that organists like Smith were able to not only bring out the sounds and lines of their instruments, but also maintained a steady bass line at the same time, basically fulfilling the roles of two players.

The first track is an amazing rendition off of his 1972 album Root Down of Al Green's classic hit Let's Stay Together. The album is a live studio album in which the members just sat down inside the studio and ripped out the tunes, and the result is one hell of a cd. I love listening to this cd with the volume cranked to the point where you feel like the band is actually in the same room as you. This is one of the slower tunes on the cd, but still a great one.

Jimmy Smith - Let's Stay Together

And here's the original just cause it's such a good song too

Al Green - Let's Stay Together


And finally for the willing is the famous track The Sermon off of the likewise titled 1958 album. Smith was known for adding gospel and soul influences to his jazz playing, and this might be one of the best examples. The song clocks in at over 20 minutes (very sermon-like if you think about it) but is full of great solos and a solid groove that it doesn't seem to matter.

Jimmy Smith - The Sermon


-Alec