Midnight Special – JIMMY SMITH***

Midnight Special/A Subtle One/Jumpin’ The Blues/Why Was I Born/One O'clock Jump

Midnight Special was an album of extended jams of mostly covers from jazz organist Jimmy Smith and his band, and was his last recording on the Blue Note label. (US:28)

“This is where things are becoming formulaic. Smith had explored a variety of styles on his Blue Note albums, but by the time of the sessions that would be released as Midnight Special he had more or less found his groove and chose to stick to it. The result is not bad, but also not really particularly engaging.”

“This is my favourite Jimmy Smith album. I could listen to Smith's organ and Turrentine's tenor saxophone roll down the tracks on the title cut forever. Their performances are soulful and funky. To my ear, Smith has never had an equal as a jazz organist, and this album demonstrates why. Turrentine is excellent throughout. It is often too easy for forget how talented he was as a player.”

“The title track is most assuredly perfect for listening to late at night. A Subtle One is a typically jubilant Stanley Turrentine piece. The remainder are cover songs. Jumpin' The Blues keeps the happiness of going. Why Was I Born reminds me of a Christmas song. You could probably play it when relatives came over and they'd be none the wiser. The LP ends with a comical version of the Basie song One O’clock Jump. The boop-boop sound from Jimmy Smith's organ is definitely the ‘Jump’.”

“Smith provides some of his greatest jams here with Midnight Special, running to ten minutes, one of his longer jams. It feels like an extension to Back At The Chicken Shack and continues the same style of Smith's organ and Turrentine's dirty sax, putting forth some cool jams. I really liked Smith's rendition of Basie's One O'Clock Jump which ends the album off strong.”

“I love Jimmy Smith's music, and this is one low-down, groovy album, where nothing is overplayed and every chord sounds like it was struck with a distinct purpose.”

"Just open, sit back and enjoy repeatedly. A particular moment in time when the artists just come together to create a timeless masterpiece. The Hammond growls in pleasure.”