1001 Albums Summary

Somehow I realize I've never listened to a James Brown album before?!? Yet of course I've heard a handful of popular songs, and that voice is instantly familiar. Interesting that this live album made the list; but I can quickly imagine that James Brown must have been positively electric on a live stage in a way that is hard to capture on a record.

Let's start with the great album art. Then Blue Note has me intrigued since I know they're an influential jazz label. I don't know that I've even heard of Jimmy Smith before, but right off the bat, I like the sound. Lively straight-ahead jazz, but with a bit of what I think of as a later 20th century sound—almost a bit more "funky" in a way (like the cover art). At first I don't even know what Jimmy Smith is doing on this record—which instrument? But the organ sure is prominent, and with some reading I learn that he's one of the first people to play the organ (Hammond B-3, to be specific), and now I hear what's unique about this sound. Great stuff, and probably really influential I assume. He's surrounded by some great players and soloists too. The sax especially, but also that guitar on Messy Bessie...

This one is easy. One of my favorite albums, period, and one of the essential albums of the early 70's. I love it when Bowie gets even weirder, but this album is just infectious hits straight through. And there's still plenty of weirdness starting to show too. I guess I always have a soft spot for these "transitional" albums when an artist is developing the sound/style they'll be most known for.