Jimmy Smith


I notice something on various Jimmy Smith CDs and on a reel to reel I listen to that is unpleasant. When he plays his organ there is often what sounds like severe distortion. This happens during loud or soft points, but more often at loud points in the music. Is this just the way his organ sounded or are the recordings flawed? I can't imagine that all of these recordings just happen to be flawed.

If this is just the way his organ sounded, was he trying to get that sound or was there some other, uncontrollable factor? Has anyone here seen him live that can confirm wether the nasties are or aren't an artifact of the recording?
ketchup

Showing 2 responses by tomryan

Tubemiser - Interesting! Where did you get this info? I have always noticed the organ bellows and/or speaker distoring and find it part of the charm of B3 performances. I'll definitely listen to The Sermon again tonight.
Listened last night and also listended to "Root Down", an early 70s live recording on Verve that is, as were the times, quite funky. Also got around to reading the liner notes. What great music.