Jake Harper
Back at the Chicken Shack is an album by Jimmy Smith, recorded in 1960 and released in 1963 on the Blue Note label. The album features guitarist Kenny Burrell, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, and drummer Donald Bailey. The title track is a simple but infectious blues number, and the album includes other notable tracks such as Messy Bessie and Minor Chant. The album was well-received and celebrated 60 years since its recording date in 2020. It was also the inspiration for the name of the British blues band Chicken Shack, formed in the mid-1960s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Album Name | Back at the Chicken Shack |
| Artist | Jimmy Smith |
| Year of Recording | 1960 |
| Year of Release | 1963 |
| Record Label | Blue Note |
| Recording Studio | Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs |
| Album Type | Soul-jazz, Blues |
| Instruments | Organ, Saxophone, Guitar, Drums |
| Notable Musicians | Kenny Burrell (guitarist), Stanley Turrentine (tenor saxophonist), Donald Bailey (drummer) |
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What You'll Learn
- The album was recorded in 1960 and released in 1963
- It features guitarist Kenny Burrell, saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and drummer Donald Bailey
- It was recorded in the same session as Smith's Midnight Special album
- It was cited in the book '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'
- The title track is a simple but infectious blues number
The album was recorded in 1960 and released in 1963
The album "Back at the Chicken Shack" by Jimmy Smith was recorded in 1960 and released in 1963. The album was recorded in the same session as Smith's previous album, "Midnight Special", which was released in 1961. Smith wore the same red shirt on the cover of both albums.
"Back at the Chicken Shack" features guitarist Kenny Burrell, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, and drummer Donald Bailey. The album includes the tracks "Messy Bessie", "Minor Chant", and "When I Grow Too Old to Dream". It also includes the catchy and lyrical title track, composed by Smith and inspired by Amos Milburn's "Chicken Shack Boogie".
The album is considered a standout among Smith's recordings for Blue Note. It was cited in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" by Robert Dimery. Smith revolutionised the use of the B-3 organ, proving that the instrument could scorch with bebop intensity.
The album was so successful that a band called Chicken Shack was formed in 1965, naming themselves after the album. The band included members such as Stan Webb, Christine Perfect, and Chris Wood.
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It features guitarist Kenny Burrell, saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and drummer Donald Bailey
"Back at the Chicken Shack" is an album by Jimmy Smith, released in 1963 on the Blue Note label. The album was recorded in 1960, during the same studio session that produced Smith's previous album, "Midnight Special".
The album features guitarist Kenny Burrell, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, and drummer Donald Bailey. Burrell and Turrentine showcase their skills in the album's catchy title track, composed by Smith with reference to Amos Milburn's 1948 jump blues, "Chicken Shack Boogie". The track moves into a slow groove with Smith's gurgling and purring B-3 voicings, accompanied by Burrell's and Turrentine's solos. Turrentine also takes the lead on the blues-fired solo of "When I Grow Too Old to Dream", a swinging blues take on the Stanley Hammerstein II/Sigmund Romberg tune.
Burrell and Turrentine's interplay is evident in their simpatico solos, with one review noting that the album is "soul musing at its best". Turrentine's playing on "Minor Chant" is particularly noteworthy, as some claim that this tune launched his career. Burrell also delivers an elegant solo on the track "On the Sunny Side of the Street", which was included in later reissues of the album.
Drummer Donald Bailey, a longstanding friend of Smith's, provides a steady beat throughout the album, grounding Smith's soulful murmurs and bluesy panache. Bailey's playing is especially prominent in the track "Messy Bessie", a twelve-and-a-half-minute moment of brilliance featuring fine playing from both Turrentine and Burrell.
The album has stood the test of time, with Smith's use of the B-3 organ revolutionizing the instrument and influencing a generation of organ players. "Back at the Chicken Shack" was even cited in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die", solidifying its place as a seminal work in the history of jazz and blues music.
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It was recorded in the same session as Smith's Midnight Special album
"Back at the Chicken Shack" is an album by Jimmy Smith, recorded in 1960 and released in 1963 on the Blue Note label. The album was recorded in the same session as Smith's previous album, "Midnight Special", which was released in 1961.
The album features a young but talented trio of musicians: guitarist Kenny Burrell, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, and drummer Donald Bailey. The group's locked-in grooves provide an excellent foundation for Smith's soulful murmurs and bluesy style. Smith's use of the B-3 organ, played through Leslie speakers, was particularly noteworthy and helped popularise the instrument.
The title track, composed by Smith, was inspired by Amos Milburn's 1948 jump blues song "Chicken Shack Boogie". The album includes other notable tracks such as "Messy Bessie" and "Minor Chant", which some say launched Turrentine's career.
The album has been celebrated as one of Smith's best works and was included in Robert Dimery's book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". It was also influential, with the band Chicken Shack, formed in the mid-1960s, naming themselves after Smith's album.
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It was cited in the book '1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'
"Back at the Chicken Shack" is an album by Jimmy Smith. It was recorded in 1960 and released in 1963 on the Blue Note label. Smith recorded the album in the same session as his previous album, "Midnight Special". The album features a young but stellar trio of players: guitarist Kenny Burrell, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, and drummer Donald Bailey.
The album is considered a standout among Smith's Blue Note recordings and was included in Robert Dimery's book, "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". It is described as an easy-listening dinner club-style jazz album with bluesy touches and soulful murmurs. The title track, composed by Smith, is a catchy and lyrical blues number that moves into a slow groove with Smith's B-3 voicings and Burrell's and Turrentine's solos.
The album was also influential, with Smith's use of the B-3 organ blazing a trail for other organ players and popularizing the instrument. Smith's playing style, with percolating foot-pedal and left-hand bass lines, and lightning-fast, blues-drenched right-hand runs, showed that the B-3 could scorch with bebop intensity. Smith's use of the B-3 on this album and others is considered groundbreaking and influential.
The album was also commercially successful, with healthy sales that kept Smith's record company afloat. It has stood the test of time and is still enjoyed by listeners today, with some considering it one of Smith's best works. The album has a simple but infectious blues groove, with entertaining solos and a smooth, vibey feel. It is an accessible album that can be enjoyed by casual listeners as well as jazz enthusiasts.
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The title track is a simple but infectious blues number
In 1960, Jimmy Smith released "Back at the Chicken Shack," a lively and memorable blues number that quickly became a favorite among jazz and blues enthusiasts. The song's catchy groove and infectious melody have made it a staple in the jazz repertoire, with many musicians covering and interpreting it in their own unique styles over the years. The title track, composed by Jimmy Smith himself, is a straightforward blues tune structured around a repeating rhythmic pattern that creates a sense of propulsion and drive. While the composition may be considered simple in terms of its form and harmonic structure, it is a prime example of less is more in music. Sometimes, a simple, memorable groove is all that is needed to create a lasting impact, and "Back at the Chicken Shack" is a testament to that.
The infectious nature of the title track is evident in how it grabs the listener's attention from the very beginning and doesn't let go. The persistent, insistent groove created by the interplay between Smith's organ, a swinging rhythm guitar, and a tight drum beat sets the tone for the entire album. It's the kind of song that makes you want to tap your feet and nod your head along with the beat. Smith's organ playing is simultaneously playful and technically impressive, showcasing his mastery of the Hammond B-3 organ and his ability to create captivating melodies and solos that stick with the listener long after the song is over.
One of the key elements that make the title track so appealing is its accessibility. Even for listeners who are not familiar with jazz or blues, the song is easy to follow and enjoy. The blues form, with its traditional 12-bar structure, is a familiar and comfortable framework that allows for a wide range of emotional expression. Smith's organ playing, while technically sophisticated, also has a raw, gut-level appeal that transcends musical genres and speaks directly to the listener's primal instincts. This combination of technical prowess and emotional accessibility is a large part of what makes "Back at the Chicken Shack" such an enduring favorite.
Additionally, the supporting musicians on the track also play a crucial role in its success. The rhythm section, consisting of guitar, bass, and drums, provides a solid foundation over which Smith can soar and explore. The guitar, in particular, plays a critical role in filling out the sound and adding texture to the overall mix. The interplay between Smith's organ and the other instruments creates a dynamic and conversational quality to the music, making it feel like a lively dialogue between friends. This sense of camaraderie and collective improvisation is one of the hallmarks of great jazz, and it's on full display in "Back at the Chicken Shack."
Furthermore, the recording quality of the album also contributes to the enduring appeal of the title track. The warm, rich sound of the Hammond B-3 organ, combined with the crisp, clear production values of the early 1960s, gives the song a timeless quality. The balance between the instruments, the subtle use of reverb, and the overall dynamics of the recording all contribute to a listening experience that sounds as fresh and exciting today as it did when it was first released. This is a testament to the skill of the recording engineers and producers who worked on the album, ensuring that Smith's music would stand the test of time.
In conclusion, "Back at the Chicken Shack" is a perfect example of a simple yet incredibly effective blues number that has stood the test of time. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the power of a catchy groove, memorable melodies, and the emotional resonance of the blues form. Jimmy Smith's masterful organ playing, coupled with tight accompaniment and superb production values, has ensured that this seemingly simple track has become an enduring classic in the jazz canon. "Back at the Chicken Shack" continues to inspire and delight listeners, serving as a reminder that sometimes, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
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Frequently asked questions
The album 'Back at the Chicken Shack' came out in 1963.
'Back at the Chicken Shack' is an album by Jimmy Smith.
The album was recorded in 1960.
The album was released on the Blue Note label.
