my thoughts on Straight Life

[CJ Shearn]

I know Soulstream is disasapointed with this session initially and I kept his comments in mind when listening when I received it for my birthday the other day. I think it's a nice session with some grooving JOS originals, and for me, the session fits more stylistically as a nice complement to "Plays Fats Waller", now "Straight Life" is only for the most devoted JOS fans, so you don't need it if you are satisfied with the major JOS albums, but if you are a Jimmy fanatic, like myself its a must. I do find it odd that Jimmy reverted to a sound circa "The Sermon" for this date, the 2nd drawbar is not pulled out at all, and also he doesn't have the Leslie spinning at all at times, which is unusual for his sound in 1961, which became more familiar on the Verve sides. Overall a nice session to have I think.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Thanks Guv.

MG