JIMMY SMITH
Open House/Plain Talk (Blue Note)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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On a single day in March of 1960, Jimmy Smith entered the studio with an ad hoc group and recorded enough music for two albums. This cd reissue combines both into a single release. At that time, Smith was the creative king of the hammond organ, inventing the language and context which allowed the instrument to enter the jazz mainstream. For this hard bop session, Smith choose Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Jackie McLean on alto sax, Ike Quebec on tenor sax, Quentin Warren on guitar, and Donald Bailey on drums. The entire band plays on four numbers, Mitchell and McLean are the only horn on one song apiece, and Quebec gets two by himself. From the opening notes of the initial number "Open House," I knew I was hearing something special. Together, the three horn players state the theme. Mitchell takes the first extended solo, soaring higher and higher. Next comes McLean in an incendiary attack. Quebec enters with a soulful, relentless turn. Then Smith plays as if he invented the blues. For over 16 minutes I found myself on the edge of my chair with this group swinging as if they have been together for years. The rest of the cd is just as hot as the first number. Blue Mitchell's trumpet solo on "My One And Only Love" is as good as it gets. McLean proves he can play standards with the best on "Embraceable You." However, no one can play a ballad like Quebec, who instills both "Old Folks" and "Time After Time" with such melancholy and wistfullness, tears well up in my eyes. Throughout the music there is Smith, who matches the intensity of the horn players with his unique sound. In addition, the sound quality of this recording is outstanding. Highly recommended.

© 2000 - Ron Saranich