Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? - Jimmy Smith (1964) (1LP Vinyl) - Near Mint (NM)

Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? by Jimmy Smith.

There are Hammond organ records, and then there are Hammond organ records dressed in orchestral finery. This 1964 Verve outing from Jimmy Smith belongs firmly to the latter category, a session where the master of the B-3 steps into a big canvas of strings and brass arranged with real theatrical flair. From the opening bars, it is clear this is Smith at his most cinematic, leaning into drama rather than simply grinding out grooves.

The program opens with a bang, sending Richard Rodgers' "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue" swaggering out of the gate before the two part title suite, "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?," unfolds across the rest of side A. Splitting the theme into Part 1 and Part 2 gives Smith room to build and breathe, and the mood carries the smoky, after hours atmosphere the title suggests.

Side B keeps the variety coming, from the rousing march of "John Brown's Body" to the aching pop sophistication of "Wives And Lovers" and the wistful "Women Of The World." The set closes with "Bluesette," a tune that lets Smith wrap things up with a lilting, waltzing charm, a fine reminder that beneath all the orchestral drama sits one of the most swinging musicians ever to sit at the console.

The arranging duties here are shared between Claus Ogerman and Oliver Nelson, two of the finest orchestral minds in the business, and their writing gives the record its lush, widescreen sound. Behind the glass sat Rudy Van Gelder as recording engineer, with Val Valentin serving as director of engineering, all under the direction of producer Creed Taylor. The sessions were captured in New York across three dates: January 20, 21, and 27, 1964. Liner notes come courtesy of Holmes Daylie, with photography by Roy DeCarava and design by Acy Lehman rounding out the package.

Collectors will want to note the pressing quirks that mark this issue. The catalog number appears as V-8583 on the front cover, back cover, and spine, while the labels render it as V/8583. Open the gatefold and look to the upper right, where you will find the number V/V6-8583. There is also a small typographical slip worth knowing about: the label lists the duration of "John Brown's Body" incorrectly as 2:34.

Printed and made in the U.S.A., this is a handsome gatefold that captures a particular moment when soul jazz and orchestral pop crossed paths under the Verve banner. For anyone drawn to Jimmy Smith's grand, swinging vision of the Hammond organ set against a full orchestral backdrop, it remains a rewarding spin from start to finish.

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Slaughter On Tenth Avenue
A2. Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (Part 1)
A3. Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (Part 2)
B1. John Brown's Body
B2. Wives And Lovers
B3. Women Of The World
B4. Bluesette

Credits:
Claus Ogerman - Arranged By
Oliver Nelson - Arranged By
Acy Lehman - Design
Val Valentin - Engineer [Director Of Engineering]
Rudy Van Gelder - Engineer [Recording Engineer]
Holmes Daylie - Liner Notes
Roy DeCarava - Photography By
Creed Taylor - Producer

Notes:
The catalog number is V-8583 on the front cover, back cover and spine. The catalog on the labels is V/8583.
Inside the gatefold, in the upper right, is the number V/V6-8583.

The track duration of B1 is incorrectly listed as 2:34 on the label.

Recorded in New York on Jan. 20, 21 & 27, 1964.

Printed in U.S.A.
Made in U.S.A.

Artist: Jimmy Smith

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Verve Records

Catalog Number: V-8583

Release Year: 1964

Country: United States

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Near Mint (NM)

Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM)