Cat

Personnel: Jimmy Smith (organ); Lalo Schifrin (conductor); Bernie Glow, Jimmy Maxwell, Marky Markowitz, Thad Jones, Ernie Royal, Snooky Young (trumpet); Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green (trombone); Tony Studd (bass trombone); Ray Alonge, Earl Chapin, Bill Correa, Jimmy Buffington (French horn); Don Butterfield (tuba); Kenny Burrell (guitar); George Duvivier (bass); Grady Tate (drums); Phil Kraus (percussion).
Recorded at Van Gelder Recording Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on April 27 & 29, 1964. Includes liner notes by Bill Dahl.
Digitally remastered using 20-bit technology.
Compared to his earlier Blue Note recordings, organist Jimmy Smith's outings for Verve are not as strong from a jazz standpoint. Certainly his renditions of the "Theme from Joy House," "The Cat," and the "Main Title from The Carpetbaggers" are not all that significant. However, this set has some tasteful arrangements for the big band by Lalo Schifrin, and some good playing by the great organist on a variety of other blues-oriented material. Also, the combination of organ with a big band is sometimes quite appealing, making this album worth picking up despite its commercial focus. ~ Scott Yanow