The Sermon; Organ Grinder Swing

These two albums were recorded nearly ten years apart, the first for Blue Note and the second for Verve. The First, The Sermon, contains only three tracks, presented here with no editing and no alternate takes. While it is certainly a stellar example of Jimmy Smith’s concept, it’s even more novel as a document of the fledgling careers of Lee Morgan, George Coleman, and the overlooked tenor player Tina Brooks. The title track is a spirited blues jam that features fabulous statements from Smith, Kenny Burrell, Brooks, Morgan, and Lou Donaldson. Art Blakey keeps the groove going for over 20 minutes. “Flamingo,” from the same 1958 session, is a ballad feature for Lee Morgan, with Burrell also contributing a beautiful solo. The middle selection, “J.O.S.,” recorded nearly a year earlier, is faster minor-key tune featuring different personnel. Smith’s regular guitarist and drummer, Eddie McFadden and Donald Bailey respectively, support a very young George Coleman on alto sax — not the tenor on which he would later become famous. Lee Morgan and McFadden also take their turns, prodded at various points by odd train whistle comping sounds from Smith’s organ.

Jumping ahead to 1965 and switching to the Verve label, Smith’s Organ Grinder Swing is a bit more diversified and features a steady trio lineup, with Kenny Burrell on guitar and Grady Tate on drums. The first three tracks are meat-and-potatoes blues, starting with the two-minute burner “The Organ Grinder’s Swing.” Unlike The Sermon, here Smith’s vocalizations and grunts are quite audible, and they underscore the physical intensity of his playing. Following the slow blues “Oh, No, Babe” and the midtempo “Blues for J,” the trio tackles a brisk 6/8 “Greensleeves,” with Smith going off on the ending modal vamp. (This track seems to reflect the influence of Coltrane.) The chemistry between Smith and Burrell reaches a high point on the exquisite ballad “I’ll Close My Eyes.” And the album finishes with a bright reading of “Satin Doll.” Tate’s drumming throughout is Swiss-watch precise, and Burrell’s stinging, tasty tone serves as the perfect complement to Smith’s wailing organ. Here again, there are no alternate takes, no edited material — just the date, from start to finish, precisely as it went down.

Both albums are classic efforts by Jimmy Smith, who inarguably wrote the book on contemporary jazz organ. They’re also shining examples of the style of Kenny Burrell, who similarly wrote the book on organ-trio guitar.