Stuff Smith

5 STARS DOWN BEAT MAGAZINE
 

This release contains the complete sessions from the 1957 album Stuff Smith, presenting Smith in a quintet format with a splendid swing rhythm section featuring Oscar Peterson, Barney Kessel, Ray Brown and Alvin Stoller. Two bonus tracks featuring the violinist in a quartet format with Carl Perkins at the piano have been added. Both tunes were composed by Stuff and recorded that same year.

Includes 8-page booklet

PERSONNEL:

STUFF SMITH, violin
OSCAR PETERSON, piano
BARNEY KESSEL, guitar
RAY BROWN, bass
ALVIN STOLLER, drums
Los Angeles, March 7 & 12, 1957.

*BONUS TRACKS (10-11):
Stuff Smith (violin), Carl Perkins (p),
Red Callender (b), Oscar Bradley (d).
Los Angeles, February 5, 1957.

Tracks:

01 DESERT SANDS 8:15
02 SOFT WINDS 6:12
03 THINGS AIN’T WHAT THEY USED TO BE 6:20
04 IT DON’T MEAN A THING 4:28
05 TIME AND AGAIN (aka DON’T YOU THINK) 7:04
06 I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW 9:38
07 IN A MELLOW TONE 9:53
08 HEAT WAVE 7:29
09 BODY AND SOUL 10:27
10 CALYPSO 5:31*
11 I WROTE MY SONG 3:19*

Total Time: 78:30

 

DOWN BEAT original review: Stuff Smith
“If you have ever discussed the meaning of the word swing, ever looked for the incarnation of the beat, you will pass it by when you pass this one up. There is no human being on earth or in heaven who can outswing Stuff Smith. Because he has with him the Peterson rhythm team (with Kessel in a happy return to his old stomping groove), he swings more than ever in these fabulous performances.” (Leonard Feather)