Back At The Chicken Shack

I don't have anything technical to say about this album. But I will say that I want to have a party. And I want there to be an impending snowstorm and the only people who show up are the ones who will brave the weather. And then the snow starts and we all go outside and marvel at how the snow twinkles in the moonlight. And then we come back inside, pour mugs of mulled wine and put on this album in the low light of winter.

I will be returning to the chicken shack

Nice, must remember it for when I host a dinner party with intellectuals.

This album was perfect for my 2nd covid vaccine fever stupor. I listened to it in the shower while getting my ass kicked by the shot, and boy did it put me in such a peaceful place. I love Jimmy's warm organ sound so much. But you know when rappers say "He got killed on his own track," when a featured artist outshines them on a song? Jimmy's saxophonist killed him big on this album. I felt like that sax dominated this album while his organ playing was kind of relegated to second chair. Not to say he isn't a fantastic organist or bandleader, but I did find myself grooving to this sax in a big way. I really love this sound, and it inspired my to seek out more music like this, so I have to give it points for inspiration.

Great for summer background. Sittin on da porch. Cookin a nice meal. Do something active but lowkey, turn this bad larry on.

banger banger banger banger banger banger banger banger banger banger banger

I expected to hate this album (I'm not a big jazz fan) but I ended up loving it. The grooves are tight, the musicianship is superb, and the performances are top-notch. The only reason that this didn't get full marks is because a couple of the tracks do drag on a bit. At 45 minutes long and only 5 tracks, this is somewhat inevitable. The really remarkable thing is that most of the tracks DON'T feel like they're too long.

21st September 2021 Listened on the living room speaker while we tidied the flat. I LOVED this, it sounds like the inside of my head. Bluesy, jazzy, laid back, can fit any mood any time of day.

Points for putting a dog on the cover, and this was inoffensive as background music, but it also didn't do anything for me. I just don't enjoy jazz that much. 2.1

Back at the Chicken Shack This is probably my favourite of the jazz albums we’ve had so far. With the focus split between organ, sax and guitar and the clear crossover with soul it’s actually very pleasantly listenable. Back at the Chicken Shack sounds a lot like Green Onions, so I presume this was a big influence on Booker T. However this was recorded in 1960, but wasn’t released until 1963, and Green Onions came out in 1962, so who knows. To my untrained ear they are both 12 bar blues (please correct me!), and feature the hammond so I can see there is a lot in common purely from a sonic point of view, but I presume it may be a consequence of this album being a bridge between jazz and soul and also Booker T being into jazz also. Nevertheless nice song. When I Grow Too Old to Dream is a very nice melody and is played with quite a nice soft feel. I should dislike the sax, but I actually like it, it doesn’t get too far away from the melody and the organ works very nicely in the back of the mix, kind of anchoring it to the band. The sax blarps and dominates a little too much Minor Chant, making it a little too close to the stereotypical jazz sound I’m not keen on, although the keyboard is nice. Messy Bessie I really like, although again the sax is prominent it again feels much more melodic and less obtrusive than Minor Chant, and is only one part of the soloing, rather than the dominant part. The guitar is great, some little bluesy touches and a nice counterpoint to the organ and sax Overall I liked this, I found it a very nice listen, which isn’t always the case with this sort of album. I’m almost tempted to go 4, and although I will come back to this, I’m not sure how frequently, which I think would put it as a high 3. 🐓🐓🐓 Playlist submission: Back at the Chicken Shack

It’s good but I’m not “moved” by it. Just seems like simple jazz to me.

If this is about rooting chickens and Hasil Adkins isn't also on this list, I'm gonna be fuming.

I’m not versed enough in jazz to render an opinion so I’ll give what appears to be a classic 5 stars. I’d only listen to this as background music.

At first I wondered 'why does he keep going back to the chicken shack', but now I do in fact get why he keeps coming back to the chicken shack

Great Jazz album. Loved the guitar and sax especially. Great use of electric organ. Simple yet complex album. Dug it a lot

This cat calls himself "The Incredible" Jimmy Smith, like he's Spiderman or some shit. It's not totally inaccurate. I first heard this record when I checked the CD out from the library in Aurora while I was in high school. I chose it purely based on the cover, and the name of the record. It's interesting, because this has been in the back of my mind for a while and I've been meaning to give it a listen lately. It's great. Support your local library while you still can.

Man, an organ in jazz music is a fantastic idea!! This is like soul jazz or jazz-funk. Really hopping music. Excellent for a dinner party. Favourite songs: Back at the Chicken Shack, Minor Chant, Messy Bessie, On the Sunny Side of the Street Least favourite songs: if forced to pick, When I Grow Too Old to Dream 5/5

Funky.

You know I be vibing to jazz! Lol makes me feel like I’m in a smoky club

Fine but not amazing

Pretty solid instrumental track, but being an instrumental only project can get boring and feel repetitive at times. The solos can be entertaining and the album doesn’t have any “bad” songs on it, just not interesting or stand out enough to really warrant a spot on the playlist.

Easily the most hilarious album I’ve come across so far, other than that, it’s jazz. Can’t hate it, can’t love it 4.5/10

Had it on while cooking, partner asked me what this album was — so I replied full of newfound, upbeat rhythm: "THE INCREDIBLE JIMMY SMITH BACK AT THE CHICKEN SHACK!" It may the best thing I've ever said, so 5/5 for that alone. Very cool jazz, makes you want to put on your shades and click along. 5/5 for the music and album experience.

Better than Coldplay

If the fate of the world ever depends on blowing someone's mind with a B-3 Organ, this would be the recording to reference.

fantastic jazz

just a wonderful album

There have not been many pure instrumental albums so far, and the ones that were close are ones that I wish didn't have the small amount of lyrics they had. Right off the bat I was finding myself thinking we need more jazz organ. It's a fun album to have in the background. Nice to shuffle about to and reminds me of baseball for some reason. As it went on, I retracted my thought about needing more as I think this amount is just right. I still like it just fine, but a little goes further than I expected. I can't say I really distinguished many songs from one or the other on the first listen, but had a good time from start to finish. Some jazz can get a little complicated but this is a nice steady bop for 45 minutes. Favorite track "Back at the Chicken Shack" (mostly because that's the one I know the title of) 4/5

This record grooves so hard. Just cool, funky laid back tunes carried throughout. Everybody in the group gets their turn, but I really noticed how tight the bass and Jimmy’s keys are on every track. The melodies haven’t stuck with me just yet but it’s definitely something I’ll revisit.

Really chill and easy listening. Surprised at how early this was too, I’m a fan

Pretty damn good Jazz album. Sounds ahead of its time

What a lovely, funky, jazz album! Really cool with the organ. Best track: Minor Chant.

Every time I get a jazz album, I keep hoping that this is the one that suddenly unlocks the genre for me. For a minute or two, I had hopes that that watery organ was going to do it for me, but alas... Yet another "it's not you, it's me" 3/5 ranking, just like all the other jazz albums.

Completely indifferent about this

Fairly good but jazz never captivates me

I guess it’s fine if you’re into jazz and old timey organs. Not in a hurry to play it again. Didn’t turn it off. 2.5⭐️

Vibes

Ganske fedt - for jeg læste om ham blev jeg glad fordi Hammond B-3 bare har så distinkt en lyd! Så det var sjovt at finde ud af at det var Jimmy Smith som gjorde orgelet populær i jazzzzz

Difficult for me to rate soft organ jazz. The music gave me warm and fuzzy feelings, and I would love to have this playing in the background as I sipped a glass of red wine next to some candles in a dim restaurant.

If this was playing in a stuck lift I’d be happy to wait to be rescued.

The pretty cool Jimmy Smith.

Fine for what it was... All Organ and brass. Just not my instruments.

This is another jazz album. At least it’s not very long.

I cannot say that I like Jazz, or would ever choose to listen to this again… There also wasn’t much in the wiki for me to read about. I know there’s a lot of musicality, improvisation and technicality that can go into Jazz, but it’s just not my style of music.

Nothing that really caught my attention here. 2/5

Standard noodling and sax nonsense in places but with added organ. Slightly more fluid and less jagged than other jazz.

Jazz is definitely not for me.

Never heard of him or this album. 6M people enjoyed the title song so it's not entirely obscure. It's a catchy song, feel like I've heard it at some point even though 60's Jazz is not in my wheelhouse at all. It sounded like one long 44 minute song, very similar stuff across the 5 songs. I'm not a Jazz fan, I don't get it, nor do I enjoy the aimless wandering. I am sure the musicianship is top notch but it's lost on me. 2 stars cause I know I couldn't have gone to my grave having never heard this album.

This was good but it’s hard to me to really listen to something that doesn’t have lyrics or very minimal lyrics.

This was the most boring music I've ever listened to. I would never have listened to it if not for it being on the list. I'm sure there's a good amount of talent and skill involved in the music but I was not left with any positive feelings. I know I'm harsh but it definitely wasn't for me.

Very good. Interesting to listen, and the track progression through the album makes for a really full and rewarding experience

10/10! wow!

Jazzo muzika - pasaka dirbant. Privercia greiciau dirbti pirstukus

No words can describe how much I enjoyed this. Just a chill day 😎

I used to play Jimmy a lot at a restaurant I where I worked, with my friend New Orleans Dave Brown. A lot of other friends worked there, including my wife.

Excellent

Love it, seems like the organ would pair well with Combustication

really liked listening to it in the plane while trying (and failing) to sleep in those uncomfortable seats

very short but a great jazz/blues instrumental!!

Interesting to listen to this on the same day as the Jeff Beck record. A couple of albums filled with brilliant musicians playing blues music. The difference is light years for me. Smith, Burrell, Turrentine, and Bailey take the simplest changes and weave gold. Just incredible grooves that I could ride all day long. An early soul jazz classic and a huge influence in anyone who ever tried to play a B3, most of whom fell well short of being Jimmy Smith

This is one of my favourite albums!

Really nice to listen to some blues for a change. Can't really fault it.

Phenomenal album. Great new listen.

Loved this! So cool and groovy and listenable.

Who knew that a chicken shack could be so cool. Loved it

Superb cool combination of jazz and soul. No one did this better than Jimmy Smith. This is among my favourite jazz records ever and despite rating it 4.0 on RYM, I might give it 5 stars here purely because there's a huge lack of Jazz albums on this list

Well, that was just fantastic!

Bluesy and jazzy. Fantastic as background music or something to listen to intently while staring at the ceiling.

Ah ça c’est le jazz posé et savoureux que j’adore ! Les textures et les grilles sont tellement apaisantes et groovy, et les solos de trompette sont délicieux, avec le clavier qui réhausse le tout comme des petites touches de peinture. Les solos de guitare très chouettes aussi Ce genre de compo met vraiment en valeur les instruments et leurs matérialités respectives, c’est un régal J’adore, très contente de mettre des noms sur des univers jazz qui me parlent plus ou moins - après John Coltrane et Charles Mingus, je sais que si j’achète un vinyle jazz Jimmy Smith est un très bon candidat Un peu gênée de mettre ce premier 5 mais voilà, un album écouté d’une traite sans l’avoir vu passer (et même remis une seconde fois) qui n’a qu’amélioré ma qualité de vie sans discontinuer donc à un moment faut rétribuer

un super moment d'écoute, je suis particulièrement fan de When I Grow Too Old To Dream qui est le produit de plein d'ingrédients jazzy et funky mixés, marinés, qui marchent incroyablement bien. carrément une triple écoute de A à Z, seul défaut : que 4 sons malheureusement. un des aspects de ce type de jazz que j'ai bien apprécié c'est l'absence de passages edgy qu'un saxo trop insistant peut avoir tendance à donner. ici tout passe, on a du relief auquel s'accrocher, des moments plus glissants, un avant-goût d'électro (je blasphème mais bon) avec cet orgue Hammond (je crois). j'allais mettre 4 (pour un 4.75 arrondi), puis je me suis dit qu'il était temps de faire tomber un premier 5!

soul jazz at it's finest

Very nice!

As someone who plays the Hammond, this record hits me right in the soul. The tone, the phrasing, the interplay — it’s everything I love about the instrument. Jimmy Smith and company settle into a pocket so deep it’s impossible not to feel it, whether you’re a jazz fan or not. Back at the Chicken Shack just has a vibe — late night, low lights, a beverage of your choice. It’s warm, unpretentious, and alive.

I too will be Back At The Chicken Shack.

Loved... and I never thought I'd say that about organ music

Muito bom

Really cool walking around music!

Amazing jazzy listen...nice

Oh thank goodness, a perfect hard bop album. What a palate cleanser after a couple of bad albums.

So cool

Oh! What a lovely surprise I found in an album named Back at the Chicken Shack. Jimmy Smith's jazz/R&B combo was soulful, charming, and way too easy to listen to. I loved, loved the organ! The organ is a woefully underused instrument, and Smith using the organ instead of the piano is such a bold choice. The payoff is immediate! The tone completely changes with the organ. On a side note, Stanley Turrentine on the saxophone was freaking fantastic. The guitar by Kenny Burrell helped when Smith's songs were more blues-y, too. A good musician can pick a great backing band. This is unlike any other jazz music I've heard in 950 albums, so this clearly deserves to be on the list. I just found myself thinking 37 minutes is just too short. Instrumental albums don't often hold my attention, but this one was captivating.

Just straigthforward good music. Love the hammond sound, the fact that the album is not overstaying its welcome (I've had trouble with some of the albums on this list having 15+ songs where a lot of them were obvious fillers). Listening to this I immediately thought I'd be happy to own this on vinyl. That's a 5 in my book, even if there's nothing exceptionally flashy goingo on. I think the first song of the album inspired the title music of Transport Tycoon Deluxe? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmL4HoG5ehQ&list=PLB0C4CF334E53E241&index=1

Probably the easiest listen to date for me as new albums I’ve never listened to before goes. Solid. Had it on repeat. Great record to drive to.

Lovely bit of jazz!

Fantastic. Every song had me tapping away

Not what I expected but I liked it.

I LOVE YOU JAZZ!!!!!!!!!!!

Perfect jazz album front to back. 5 outta 5

Just wasn't very interesting. It was just "Alice Cooper Album" Which doesn't get high marks from me generally.

This is the chillest, grooviest thing of all time. Will be on rotation!

Organ Jazz is tremendous. Marvelous album.

Love Jimmy Smith and this is a classic. 5/ 5

I felt very sophisticated listening to this. A really lovely album. I'm a sucker for an organ and it was well utilised here.

Love the jazzy piano here, will listen more.

"This is pure, unadulterated, jamming fun... so much soul.... so much groove... when it comes to the B3 organ... no one can match the GREAT Jimmy Smith... one of the all time great musicians in world history... five songs... five jams... five grooves... a swingin' band... and one of the great soloists of our time... when you add Stanley Turrentine on tenor... Donald Bailey on drums and Kenny Burrell on guitar... you have an album that should be treasured, revered, memorized, and put in a time capsule... FIVE stars... daddy o... all day..."

Excellent.

Yes. So good. Perfect rainy Sunday vibes right here.

Loved it!

nice soundtrack to make a pot of beans to

I LOVE jazz music. This was my speed for sure. Like the addition of the guitar. Great fillers while the rest of the band maintained tempo. Bass was on point as well. Finally, the addition of the organ was great. If anyone has every played Fallout (especially Fallout New Vegas’s DLC old world blues) this album fits right in.