Jimmy Smith Dot Com Blues CD

On his first album in more than five years, Jimmy Smith, who turned 75 shortly before the release date, attempts the soul-jazz version of what Santana did on Supernatural -- heavily featuring guest stars in an attempt to broaden his appeal. The basic band consists of Smith on organ, Reggie McBride on bass guitar, and Harvey Mason on drums, but this trio is never featured alone, although four tracks feature the trio joined only by guitarist Russell Malone -- "C C Rider," "Mood Indigo" (with John Clayton replacing McBride on acoustic bass), and two new Smith originals, the title track and "Tuition Blues." (On a fifth song, a remake of Smith's "8 Counts for Rita," the quartet is joined by percussionist Lenny Castro.) Not surprisingly, these are the most jazz-oriented performances on the album. The rest of the disc takes a blues turn, with Dr. John contributing vocals and piano on his own composition, the lead-off track "Only in It for the Money"; Taj Mahal singing and playing guitar on his own "Strut"; Etta James singing the Muddy Waters hit "I Just Wanna Make Love to You"; Keb' Mo' taking guitar and vocal duties on his composition "Over & Over"; and B.B. King doing the same on his old favorite "Three O'Clock Blues." Thus, half the album is given over to guest stars who sing, making this the most vocal-dominated album ever released under Jimmy Smith's name. As a consequence, it is also something of a blues sampler with Smith playing a prominent role rather than a Jimmy Smith album. Jazz fans will be happy to know that, after more than 40 years of recording, Smith retains his ability to play, but Dot Com Blues is anything but a showcase for the man whose name is on the cover. ~ William Ruhlmann

Recorded at Cello Recording, Los Angeles, California between February 1 and June 5, 2000.

Personnel: Jimmy Smith (organ); Keb' Mo', Taj Mahal, B.B. King (vocals, guitar); Dr. John (vocals, piano, electric piano, Wurlitzer organ); Etta James, Sir Harry Bowens, Sweet Pea Atkinson (vocals); John Porter, Neil Hubbard, Phil Upchurch, Russell Malone (guitar); Herman Riley, Joe Sublett (tenor saxophone); Darrell Leonard, Leslie Drayton, Oscar Brashear (trumpet, flugelhorn); George Bohannon, Maurice Spears (trombone, bass trombone); Chris Stainton (piano); Jon Cleary (Wurlitzer organ); John Clayton (acoustic bass); Pino Palladino, Reggie McBride (bass guitar); Andy Newark, Harvey Mason, Sr. (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion).

Recording information: Cello Recording, Los Angeles, CA (02/01/2000-06/05/2000).

Photographer: James Minchin.

Arranger: Jimmy Smith .

Personnel: Jimmy Smith (organ); Dr. John (vocals, acoustic & Wurlitzer electric pianos); B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' (vocals, guitar); Etta James, "Sweet Pea" Atkinson, Sir Harry Bowen (vocals); Herman Riley, Joe Sublett (tenor saxophone); Darrell Leonard, Oscar Brashear, Leslie Drayton (trumpet, flugelhorn); George Bohanon, Maurice Spears (trombone, bass trombone); Chris Stainton (piano); Jon Cleary (Wurlitzer electric piano); John Porter (guitar, electric bass); Russell Malone, Phil Upchurch, Neil Hubbard (guitar); John Clayton (acoustic bass); Reggie McBride, Pino Palladino (electric bass); Harvey Mason, Andy Newark (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion).

Valley

CMJ (1/22/01, p.20) - "...Smith is simply what he is....the master, the maestro, the undisputed king of the Hammond B-3..."
Down Beat (4/01, p.73) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...The Information Age has no trouble evidencing his mastery of blues phraseology and mood with his arsenal of runs and thick, sustained chords..."
JazzTimes (3/01, pp.95-6) - "...A killer....Smith is on fire throughout the album, whether it's a slow burn or a sizzler..."
Living Blues (5-6/01, pp.57,59) - "...The undisputed and virtually unchallenged king of the Hammond organ..."