The Incredible Jimmy Smith - The Cat (1964)

Compared to his earlier Blue Note recordings, organist Jimmy Smith's outings for Verve are not as strong from a jazz standpoint. Certainly his renditions of the "Theme from Joy House," "The Cat," and the "Main Title from The Carpetbaggers" are not all that significant. However, this set has some tasteful arrangements for the big band by Lalo Schifrin, and some good playing by the great organist on a variety of other blues-oriented material. Also, the combination of organ with a big band is sometimes quite appealing, making this album worth picking up despite its commercial focus.

by Scott Yanow

Tracklist:

01. Theme from "The Love Cage" (Schifrin) - 4:43
02. The Cat (from the film "Love Cage") (Schifrin) - 3:27
03. Basin Street Blues (Williams) - 4:06
04. Main Title from "The Carpetbaggers" (Bernstein) - 3:56
05. Chicago Serenade (Harris) - 4:00
06. St. Louis Blues (Handy) - 3:23
07. Delon's Blues (Smith) - 4:50
08. Blues in the Night (Mercer-Arlen) - 4:42

Jimmy Smith – organ
Lalo Schifrin - conductor, arranger
Ernie Royal, Bernie Glow, Jimmy Maxwell, Marky Markowitz, Snooky Young, Thad Jones - trumpet
Ray Alonge, Jimmy Buffington, Earl Chapin, Bill Correa - French horn
Billy Byers, Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green - trombone
Tony Studd - bass trombone
Don Butterfield - tuba
Kenny Burrell - guitar
George Duvivier - bass
Grady Tate - drums
Phil Kraus - percussion

Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ on April 27-29, 1964.