Jimmy Smith - The Sermon! (1958)

Since it's Sunday, I figured another sermon couldn't hurt. The Hammond B-3 organ is one of my favorite instruments and it's in the hands of a master on this Blue Note release. Other jazz greats on this release include Kenny Burrell, Art Blakey, Lou Donaldson, and Lee Morgan. Makes me wish I had a spare $10K lying around so I could buy my own B-3.

Reviews/ratings:

• Billboard (★★★★): "A strong album for modern jazz buffs.""
• DownBeat: ★★★
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

1. The Sermon - recorded February 25, 1958: This 20 minute title track is a swinging 12-bar blues number with everyone getting a solo (or two).
   Jimmy Smith – organ
   Lee Morgan – trumpet
   Kenny Burrell – guitar
   Art Blakey – drums
   Lou Donaldson – alto saxophone
   Tina Brooks – tenor saxophone
2. J.O.S. - recorded August 25, 1957: a fast-paced minor-key bop number.
   Smith – organ
   Morgan – trumpet
   George Coleman – alto saxophone
   Eddie McFadden – guitar
   Donald Bailey – drums
3. Flamingo - recorded February 25, 1958: a nice take on the 1940 standard with some excellent trumpet work by Lee Morgan.
   Smith – organ
   Morgan – trumpet
   Burrell – guitar
   Blakey – drums

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. This was a recent find at a Half Price Books.