Six Views of the Blues

Six Views of the Blues

ASIN: B00001ZSXN

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This previously unreleased album was recorded in 1958 at one of 31 sessions that the phenomenal and prolific organist Jimmy Smith participated in during his tenure at Blue Note. Credited with transforming the Hammond B-3 from a novelty item into one of the most popular instruments in jazz, Smith helped create the organ-trio sound and establish the soul-funk style so popular on jukeboxes across the U.S. in the late 1950s. An all-blues program with Cecil Payne wielding a rather cumbersome baritone saxophone, Six Views is hardly revolutionary--perhaps explaining why the album was originally kept in the can. Thankfully, today's criteria for what is release worthy differ from the standards in the late 1950s, allowing us to hear Smith with guitarist Kenny Burrell and drummer Art Blakey in what has become a rare recording. The grooves here are sublime--with a stellar "St. Louis Blues"--and Payne proves to be an unusually nimble soloist on the big baritone. Nota bene: "The Swingin' Shepherd Blues" was previously issued on the Blue Note single 45-1711. --Mitchell Feldman

Six Views of the Blues,Jimmy Smith,Blue Note Records,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Soul-Jazz

Average customer rating:

Thorough Exploration of the Blues

His best album, hands down!

Another Six Views of the Blues...

The New Jimmy Smith Standard-Bearer

I've Been Waiting 42 years for this baby...

Six Views of the Blues
Jimmy Smith
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo | Jazz | Styles | Music
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General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00001ZSXN
Release Date: 1999-10-19

Tracks:

St. Louis Blues - Art Blakey
The Swingin' Shepherd Blues - Art Blakey
Blues No.1 - Art Blakey
Blues No.3 - Jimmy Smith
Blues No.4 - Jimmy Smith
Blues No.2 - Jimmy Smith

Amazon.com

This previously unreleased album was recorded in 1958 at one of 31 sessions that the phenomenal and prolific organist Jimmy Smith participated in during his tenure at Blue Note. Credited with transforming the Hammond B-3 from a novelty item into one of the most popular instruments in jazz, Smith helped create the organ-trio sound and establish the soul-funk style so popular on jukeboxes across the U.S. in the late 1950s. An all-blues program with Cecil Payne wielding a rather cumbersome baritone saxophone, Six Views is hardly revolutionary--perhaps explaining why the album was originally kept in the can. Thankfully, today's criteria for what is release worthy differ from the standards in the late 1950s, allowing us to hear Smith with guitarist Kenny Burrell and drummer Art Blakey in what has become a rare recording. The grooves here are sublime--with a stellar "St. Louis Blues"--and Payne proves to be an unusually nimble soloist on the big baritone. Nota bene: "The Swingin' Shepherd Blues" was previously issued on the Blue Note single 45-1711. --Mitchell Feldman

Customer Reviews:

Thorough Exploration of the Blues.......2007-05-21

There are two musicians I think understood the jazz side of blues better than any other: Ray Charles and Jimmy Smith. If you get a chance to check out the few instrumental blues albums of Ray Charles (including his collaboration with Milt Jackson on "Soul Brothers" and "Soul Meeting") do it! Jimmy Smith, though, is right there to and this album, "Six Views of the Blues" more than proves it.

Six tracks with organ, guitar, drums and....baritone sax that is all blues and nothing but the blues. Most of the tracks are mid tempo 12 bar blues, with a moderately fast "Blues no. 4" and a nice, slow burning "Blues no. 3". All the musicians play well together, particularly Kenny Burrell (g) and Smith, who are both great soloists but also know how to accompany the other. As another reviewer said, the baritone sax is suprisingly nimble and fluid - also a good soloist. Art Blakey provides a nice driving support, which (that's just Blakey!) can occasionally gets a bit intrusive.

While none of the compositions are real standouts and they are all very similar in style, this is a very solid CD with tight musicianship, smooth, in the pocket, groove, and some really bluesy blues.

His best album, hands down!.......2006-05-11

I am a huge Jimmy Smith (organ) fan, and I own almost all of his blue note recordings. I have most of them on cd and some on LP that are not on CD yet, and I have to tell ya folks this is a must buy for any music fan. It doesn't matter if you like rock, R&B, blues, or jazz. This album will take you where ever it is you wish to go that day. If you're up it will keep you up, if you're down it will ease your pain, if you're mellow it will keep you groovin all day long! It's that perfect. Blues No. 4 features Jimmy Smith's best solo of all time, at least on blue note. In general Jimmy Smith is terrific on every track and and Kenny Burrell (guitar) have excellent communication throughout the session. Kenny Burrell is smooth coast to coast like butter on toast on every track, especially on Blues No. 3. Art Blakey and Donald Baley share the work on drums and they provide a great rytham background. And finally the work of Cecil Payne. Oh my lord does he have a whailin' blues background. When he blows that baritone sax you will feel vibration through your soul, and I'm not being cheezy either. He is simply on fire on this album. He has a good solo on every track, especially on track 2. He enters at 1 minute and 11 seconds and takes off. Buy this album and you will listen to it for the rest of your life. I've had it for 5 years and I still listen to it every week! Make sure you play it loud!!!

Another Six Views of the Blues..........2006-03-17

Leading a quartet with baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne, guitarist Kenny Burrell and either Art Blakey or Donald Bailey on drums, is one rare occation for Jimmy Smith during the Blue Note years. I have looked all over my vast JOS collection of small combo session if he ever again recorded with baritone sax, but it seems that this is the only evidence of recorded organ/baritone session from him. Nevertheless, this is great music, mainly JOS blues where he again proves his mastery of slow drenched down-to-earth organ blues with good solos both from Payne and Burrell. Even with some sonic flaws, makes this a welcome limited edition release from the Blue Note vaults....but why wait 40 years to release this recording? Mr. Cuscuna, please dig more in the vaults...

The New Jimmy Smith Standard-Bearer.......2000-08-22

before six views, the sermon was the tuffest jimmy joint out there, but six views blows the sermon away. like the other reviewers, i think blues #4 is amazing, and a jimmy classic like the sermon, the champ, & virginia wolf.

I've Been Waiting 42 years for this baby..........2000-03-13

I can't believe it took 40+ years to release this album. Mike Cuscuna does point out in the liner notes that it was Smith's 19th recording session in 29 months, so maybe it just got lost in the shuffle. It's a damn good album though. Lots of blues lots of soul. I can't listen to the first two tracks, St. Louis Blues and The Swingin' Shepherd Blues enough. Both are great. It is fantastic too, to hear Cecil Payne on bari. This is my first time hearin' this guy play and he is good.

The reviewer below me got it right too... Blues No.4 really cooks. It'll knock you right down. the other songs (all Smith originals except St. Louis Blues and The Swingin' Shepherd Blues) are pleanty good as well.

Jimmy Smith's playing is down and bluesy on the whole album, and really complements Payne's hard bari-sound. Burrell is great, though sometimes you really have to listen for him because Smith and Payne are really where it's at on this deal. Blakey's a great presence as usual (on half the tracks) as is Donald Baily. Both drummers are pretty subdued (especially Blakey! ) but the playing is there.

Anyways, get the album. It's yet another Bluenote Gem. Get it and then get Larry Young's Unity and really get down and listen to both these great organ players.

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