Jimmy Smith - Bashin'

Although he began as a pianist, the great Jimmy Smith (1925-2005) switched to organ after hearing Wild Bill Davis in 1953. Smith’s unparalleled skills with the Hammond helped to popularize the electric organ as a jazz and blues instrument, and he recorded prolifically during his long career. Bashin’ was Smith’s debut for Verve, a label that he would record for extensively during 1963-1972. On part of the program he is joined by a big band arranged by Oliver Nelson, in what was their first collaboration ever on records. “Walk on the Wild Side” became Smith’s biggest hit up to that point. The rest of the album showcased Smith in a trio setting.

Side A:
1 WALK ON THE WILD SIDE (Elmer Bernstein-Mack David) 5:59
2 OL’ MAN RIVER (Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II) 4:00
3 IN A MELLOW TONE (Duke Ellington-Milt Gabler) 4:27
4 STEP RIGHT UP (Oliver Nelson) 4:17
5 OL’ MAN RIVER (Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II) [45 RPM issue] 2:50*

Side B:

1 BEGGAR FOR THE BLUES (Ray Rasch-Dotty Wayne) 7:29
2 BASHIN’ (Jimmy Smith) 6:16
3 I’M AN OLD COW HAND (FROM THE RIO GRANDE) (Johnny Mercer) 6:18
4 BASHIN’ (Jimmy Smith) [45 RPM issue] 2:42*

*Bonus tracks: Edited versions of songs from the LP released as singles.

JIMMY SMITH, organ

On all tracks, plus:

SIDE A: With the Big Band!
Joe Newman, Ernie Royal, Doc Severinsen, Joe Wilder (tp), Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green, Britt Woodman (tb), Tom Mitchell (b-tb),Jerry Dodgion, Phil Woods (as), Bob Ashton, Arthur “Babe” Clarke (ts), George Barrow (bar), Barry Galbraith (g), George Duvivier (b), Ed Shaughnessy (d), Oliver Nelson (arr, cond).

SIDE B: With the Trio!
Quentin Warren (g), Donald Bailey (d).

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, March 26 (A3, A4 & B3) & March 28 (A1, A2, A5, B1, B2 & B4), 1962.