Great Scott

During the 1960's, Shirley Scott's Impulse albums were often split between big band selections (with orchestras arranged by Oliver Nelson) and trio features. This CD reissue includes all of the contents from two of Scott's better Impulse albums, Great Scott and For Members Only. In general the eight trio numbers are the most rewarding performances on the disc since the material is fairly superior while the big band tracks emphasize then-current show and movie tunes. Overall this generous CD gives one a good overview of Shirley Scott's playing talents.

In Great Scott, the Kansas-born mezzo-soprano, one of today’s best-loved classical singers, creates a role conceived specifically with her in mind. The character she plays, Arden Scott, just happens to be an opera star, and she is the lynchpin of what Fred Plotkin of WQXR, the USA’s leading classical music radio station, welcomed as a “deeply moving and musically brilliant work” that “should enter the standard repertory just as Heggie’s two previous masterpieces – Dead Man Walking and Moby-Dick – already have”.

Shirley Scott Trio - For Members Only / Great Scott!! (1963-64) {Impulse! 2-on-1 Series Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 445 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 166 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 25 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2011 Impulse! / Verve / Universal Music | 06007 5334724
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Big Band / Organ Hammond B-3

After a six-year stay at Prestige, jazz organist Shirley Scott began a lengthy run of albums on Impulse! This two-fer brings together her first two albums for the label, 1963's For Members Only and 1964's Great Scott!! Each album splits its tracks between Scott's regular trio setting (variously featuring rhythms by Earl May/Jimmy Cobb and Bob Cranshaw/Otis Finch) and arrangements written and conducted by Oliver Nelson. Scott's Hammond fits well into each setting, leading the trio with terrific energy and verve, and finding space for lower-wattage performances amid Nelson's charts.

Bobby Scott - Great Scott (1954) {2014 Japan Bethlehem Album Collection 1000}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 90 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 48 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 211 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1954, 2014 Solid Records / Bethlehem | CDSOL-6121
Jazz / Cool / Piano

Reissue. Features the latest remastering. Includes a Japanese description, lyrics. Features original cover artwork. A rare early trio session from Bobby Scott – much looser and less arranged than most of his later albums, with a very strong focus on his talents as a piano soloist! The group features Whitey Mitchell on bass and Bill Bradley on drums – and although we love Bobby on other records, we're really stunned at his dexterity here – especially on the more boppish numbers, which have the feel of some of Al Haig's best material of the time – some nice dark corners that come not just from Scott's phrasing, but also from his writing too. Titles include the originals "Pee Wee", "Phil's Mood", "Moonbeaux", and "Ode To Monk" – plus versions of "Lullaby Of Broadway" and "Tenderly".

Shirley Scott - Great Scott (1996) {Muse MCD 5434 rec 1991}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 319 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 121 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 20 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1991, 1996 Muse Records | MCD 5434
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Organ

A later set from Shirley Scott, but one that's recorded with an old school lineup that includes Art Harper on bass and Mickey Roker on drums – plus some guest tenor work from the mighty Buck Hill! The tunes are a lot more open and fluid than Scott's sound on Prestige in the 60s – with a bit of the vibe she picked up during her 70s years, as she really started to loosen up from before. And although the tunes are mostly familiar numbers, this approach really changes them up – moving them farther from the standard ballad mode of earlier Scott albums. Shirley plays piano on one track – "Yours Is My Heart Alone" – and all others feature organ, on titles that include "Skylark", "Triste", "More Than You Know", "Blues For Groove", and "Have You Met Miss Jones."