On this new collection of career-launching sides, Jimmy Scott primarily
deals with two main issues: the fool and Fortune. While Scott was often
made to play the former thanks to the development-stunting condition that
the latter foisted upon him, he has enough conviction and strength (both
vocally and otherwise) to deliver a star-making performance. From the
opening horn punch of the collection’s title track, Scott is demanding
attention be paid despite his diminutive size. This attention is rewarded
with an emotive set of heart-felt selections that includes the plaintive "I
Wish I Knew," the questioning "Alone with a Memory," the lingering "Do
You Mind if I Hang Around" and the liberating "When You Surrender."
Scott’s early signs of star quality were also noted by greats like Lionel
Hampton, Stan Getz and Dr. Billy Taylor, all of whom lend their formidable
talents to the new man-child on the block. Despite early and lingering
obstacles, "Little" Jimmy Scott has turned himself into one of the biggest
names in the world of jazz vocalism. And listening to these early
recordings which have been thankfully rejuvenated for the digital age, it is
not difficult to see why.
Track listing: 1. Everybody's Somebody's Fool - Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
2. I Wish I Knew - Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
3. Please Give Me a Chance - Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
4. I've Been a Fool (Thinking You Cared) - Lionel Hampton & His
Orchestra
5. Wheel of Fortune
6. Come What May
7. Say You Cry
8. When You Surrender
9. Alone With a Memory [#]
10. Do You Mind If I Hang Around? [#]
11. Something from a Fool
12. Why Was I Born?
13. Bluest Blues [#]
14. You Never Miss the Water (Till the Well Runs Dry)
15. Solitude
Style: Vocal
Published: January 20, 2003
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On this new collection of career-launching sides, Jimmy Scott primarily
deals with two main issues: the fool and Fortune. While Scott was often
made to play the former thanks to the development-stunting condition that
the latter foisted upon him, he has enough conviction and strength (both
vocally and otherwise) to deliver a star-making performance. From the
opening horn punch of the collection’s title track, Scott is demanding
attention be paid despite his diminutive size. This attention is rewarded
with an emotive set of heart-felt selections that includes the plaintive "I
Wish I Knew," the questioning "Alone with a Memory," the lingering "Do
You Mind if I Hang Around" and the liberating "When You Surrender."
Scott’s early signs of star quality were also noted by greats like Lionel
Hampton, Stan Getz and Dr. Billy Taylor, all of whom lend their formidable
talents to the new man-child on the block. Despite early and lingering
obstacles, "Little" Jimmy Scott has turned himself into one of the biggest
names in the world of jazz vocalism. And listening to these early
recordings which have been thankfully rejuvenated for the digital age, it is
not difficult to see why.
