Bashin': The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith

Artist:  Jimmy Smith
Title Of Album: Bashin'
Year Of Release: 1962
Label: Verve
Genre: Jazz
Format:  MP3
Sound Quality: FULL
Type: CD
Total Time: 38:30
Total Size: 126.95 MB

Track listing
01. "Walk on the Wild Side" (Bernstein, David) – 5:55
02. "Ol' Man River" (Hammerstein II, Kern) – 3:56
03. "In a Mellow Tone" (Ellington, Milt Gabler) – 4:25
04. "Step Right Up" (Oliver Nelson) – 4:13
05. "Beggar for the Blues" (Ray Rasch, Dotty Wayne) – 7:28
06. "Bashin'" (Jimmy Smith) – 6:16
07. "I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)" (Mercer) – 6:17

Personnel
Tracks 1-4
Jimmy Smith - organ
Oliver Nelson - arranger, conductor
Phil Woods, Jerry Dodgion - alto sax
Bob Ashton, Babe Clarke - tenor sax
George Barrow - baritone sax
Joe Newman, Ernie Royal, Doc Severinsen, Joe Wilder - trumpet
Thomas Mitchell - bass tuba
Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green, Britt Woodman - trombone
Barry Galbraith - guitar
George Duvivier - bass
Ed Shaughnessy - drums
Tracks 5-7
Jimmy Smith - organ
Quentin Warren - guitar
Donald Bailey - drums

Smith's debut session for Verve kicks off with an explosive big band sound. The first four tracks of BASHIN' feature a sizeable backing orchestra (whose personnel list that may ring some unexpected bells, like future Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen) and dramatic arrangements by Oliver Nelson (who also assumes conducting duties). While fans of Smith's lower-key trio work for Blue Note may cringe at the blare of horns and the grandiose dynamic shifts, Smith is still in uber-cool form, and his Hammond plays the groovy foil to Nelson's occasionally square arrangements.
Die-hard enthusiasts of the trio won't be disappointed, however, since the last three tracks are strictly old school. Quentin Warren and Donald Bailey help mix it up in deep blues fashion on "Beggar For the Blues" and the title track, while Smith, even after the large-scale blasts of Bernstein's "Walk On The Wild Side" and Nelson's "Step Right Up," seems right at home. This disc, released in 1962, captures the artist at a transition period, and proves that no matter the band, year or label, Smith was a consistently compelling artist.
Recorded in New York, New York on March 26 & 28, 1962. Originally released on Verve (V6-8474). Includes original release liner notes by Del Shields.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
This is part of the Verve Master Edition series.