Shirley Scott

The Hammond organ, named after its inventor Laurens Hammond, debuted in 1935 as a cost-effective electro-acoustic alternative to the gigantic pipe organs mainly installed in churches. Among Hammond’s first customers were George Gershwin and Count Basie. Jazz pianists like Basie, Fats Waller, Wild Bill Davis and Milt Buckner were the founding fathers of the instrument’s international conquest, which led across all styles of popular music, from jazz to progressive rock, with its heyday in the 1960s and '70s…

One of Shirley Scott's stronger dates, this quintet outing matches her organ with tenor saxophonist Oliver Nelson, trumpeter Joe Newman, bassist George Tucker, and drummer Roy Brooks. The material is varied and includes such interesting tunes as "Blue Seven," "Wagon Wheels," and a swinging "Give Me the Simple Life." Boasting three strong soloists, there are a generous number of fireworks on this blowing session, which should greatly appeal to organ, Shirley Scott, and hard bop collectors.

Shirley Scott - Latin Shadows (1965) {Impulse! Japan, Cardboard Sleeve UCCI-9075 rel 2007}
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© 1965, 2007 Impulse! / MCA / Universal Japan | UCCI-9075
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Modern Arrangement / Latin Jazz / Organ

My own approach to this album is from the Gary McFarland perspective. McFarland was an arranger, vibe player, and producer who operated for about a decade until his life was cut tragically short. He is the arranger (and one of the musicians) on this album. This album is best seen as a collaboration between Scott and McFarland. As such, it bears the hallmarks of McFarland's sound. His sound at this time was particularly reflective of the bossa nova and latin sounds that rose to prominence in the early-to-mid '60s. Latin Shadows is an excellent and successful example of McFarland's work, with the lovely Ms. Scott starring as the featured soloist.

Shirley Scott - Girl Talk (1967) {2015 Japan Impulse! Classics 50 Series UCCI-9274}
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© 1967, 2015 Impulse! / Verve / Universal Music Japan | UCCI-9274
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Organ

Sweet 60s grooves from Shirley Scott – really working the Hammond organ here with a wonderful sound – that warm, lean, soulful groove she hit perfectly at Impulse Records! There's a clarity here you don't get on some of Shirley's other records – a really stripped-down sound on the keys, which makes for playful lines that really sparkle – the kind of class and care that really set Scott apart from other 60s organists! Rhythm is nice and tight – bass from George Duvivier, and the great Mickey Roker playing some nice snapping, dancing drums – and tracks are short and compact, but still with some nice solo moments. Titles include "Come Back To Me", "On The Trail", "Love Nest", "Girl Talk", and "Keep The Faith Baby".

Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis & Shirley Scott - Bacalao (1959) {Prestige OJCCD-1090-2 rel 2003}
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© 1959, 2003 Prestige Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-1090-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Saxophone / Organ

When it came to tenor saxophonists, the late organist Shirley Scott had excellent taste. One of the big-toned tenor men she worked with extensively was Stanley Turrentine, whom she married; another was Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. Recorded in Rudy Van Gelder's New Jersey studio in 1959, Bacalao is among the many solid hard bop/soul-jazz albums that resulted from Davis' association with Scott. The two of them enjoyed an incredibly strong rapport in the late '50s and early '60s, and they are very much in sync on Bacalao (which unites them with bassist George Duvivier, drummer Arthur Edgehill, and two Latin percussion men: Luis Perez and salsa giant Ray Barretto).

Shirley Scott - Superstition (1973) {2013 Soul Brother Records CD SBCS 58}
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© 1973, 2013 Soul Brother Records / Passion Music / Verve / Cadet | CD SBCS 58
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Funk Jazz / Organ Hammond B-3

One of the coolest, grooviest albums ever from Hammond giant Shirley Scott – a set that's got a fair bit of funk in the mix, and a really rich array of inventive lines on the keyboards too! The tracks are longer than usual, and really step past the more familiar Shirley Scott modes of the 60s – opening up into more righteous 70s territory in the company of Chess/Cadet Records – with arrangements from Richard Evans that are as sophisticated as they are funky!

Shirley Scott - Something (1970) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit WPCR-27335}
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© 1970, 2013 Atlantic / Rhino / Warner Japan / WEA | WPCR-27335 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Hard Bop / Organ

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. Something is an album by organist Shirley Scott recorded in 1970 and released on the Atlantic label. It includes instrumental covers of several contemporary hits from artists such as the Beatles and the Jackson 5, along with the original song "Messie Bessie".

Shirley Scott - Workin' (1993) {Prestige PRCD-24126-2 rec 1958-1961}
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© 1958-61, 1993 Prestige / Fantasy | PRCD-24126-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Jazz Blues / Organ Hammond B-3

A slightly odd, transitional release, 1966's Workin' finds organist Shirley Scott moving away from the small-combo format she worked in (most often with husband Stanley Turrentine) during the early '60s into slightly larger arrangements more in keeping with the mid-'60s trend toward groove-based soul-jazz in which she was the primary, and usually only, soloist. Tunes like "Autumn Leaves," which is practically a solo performance with absolutely minimal bass and drums (perhaps a nod to pianist Bill Evans, who did the tune regularly in a similarly stripped-down fashion), sit next to bluesy vamps like the extended, smoky "Chapped Chops" and gospel workouts like a groove-oriented version of the old church standard "Down By the Riverside," on which Scott sounds uncomfortably like the little old lady who plays choppy, repetitive, bass-heavy organ runs at the baseball stadium.

Shirley Scott - Soul Song (1968) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit Remaster WPCR-27122}
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© 1968, 2012 Atlantic / Rhino / Warner Japan / WEA | WPCR-27122 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Hard Bop / Organ

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. Organist Shirley Scott's first of three Atlantic LPs (all are very difficult to find these days) was her last recording with her husband, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, who would soon gain great fame along with a divorce. Although Scott plays well enough and the supporting cast (which includes guitarist Eric Gale) is funky, the material is quite erratic, including Ray Stevens' "Mr. Businessman," "Like a Lover" (which has a rare vocal by the organist), and "Blowin' in the Wind." This collector's item has its interesting moments.