Jimmy Smith - Bashin': The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith

Although still a regular Blue Note artist (he would make four more albums for the company within the next year), Bashin' was organist Jimmy Smith's debut for Verve, a label that he would record extensively for during 1963-1972.

On the first half of the program (reissued in full on this CD), Smith was for the first time joined by a big band. Oliver Nelson provided the arrangements, trumpeter Joe Newman and altoist Phil Woods have a solo apiece, and "Walk on the Wild Side" became Smith's biggest hit up to that point. 

The final three numbers feature Smith's regular trio with guitarist Quentin Warren and drummer Donald Bailey swinging with soul as usual. The historical set (a bit of a turning point for Jimmy Smith's career) has its strong moments although it is not all that essential. 

01 - Walk On The Wild Side

02 - Ol' Man River

03 - In A Mellow Tone

04 - Step Right Up

05 - Beggar For The Blues

06 - Bashin'

07 - I'm An Old Cow Hand (From The Rio Grande)

08 - Bashin' (45 rpm Version)

09 - Ol' Man River (45 rpm Version)

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