Live Jimmy Smith

[John B]

I just finished spinning The Incredible Jimmy Smith at Club Baby Grand vol.1 and was blown away by how much this set smokes! I already own Baby Grand vol.1 and 2, Cool Blues and Root Down and was wondering what other live Jimmy Smith discs have similar fire and are essential next discs to explore?

[connoisseur series500]

I can't speak for "Baby Grand" cause I don't have it, but "Root Down" is good as you say.

I really love "Master" and "Master II." Two of my favorite Jimmy Smith discs.

[Soul Stream]

Jimmy Smith "The Boss" on Verve. Vinyl only...live early 70's date with George Benson. About as good as it gets.

Jimmy Smith and The Trio "Live in Paris" and double CD that's OOP to my knowledge. 60's Jimmy in prime form. The best live Jimmy IMHO.

[michel devos]

Jimmy Smith "The Boss" on Verve.  Vinyl only...live early 70's date with George Benson.  About as good as it gets.

Jimmy Smith and The Trio "Live in Paris" and double CD that's OOP to my knowledge.  60's Jimmy in prime form.  The best live Jimmy IMHO.

Indeed...these live concerts were taken on 28th may 1965 and 20th november 1968 at the Salle Pleyel in Paris.The first date (2cd's) featured Quentin Warren and Bill Hart, while the last one showed Nathan Page and Donald Bailey.

Jimmy Smith plays loads of notes and is very energetic, high voltage I would say, but, after listening these discs for a while, one feels some cuts or editing would produce a greatly enhanced performance : frankly, some tricks can easily pass in concert but become a bore after 2 or 3 repeated listenings.

I have seen this week in Rome these 3 CD's as a boxed set, just back in print as a europe 1 production, so they should be easily available by now.

While I confirm I still like this set, I would definitely recommend for live performance the RVG set 'Groovin' at Small's Paradise'.For me , one of the very best Smith performances ever...

Edited November 2, 2003 by michel devos