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Livin' It Up

  front cover   side a

1
5
J

2
.
.

3
.
.

4
.
.

5

Mission: Impossible
3:34
Schifrin

Refractions
4:48
Nelson

The Gentle Rain
2:39
Jobim

Burning Spear
3:53
Evans

Go Away Little Girl
2:49
Goffin / King

 
  back cover   side b

1
5
J

2
.
.

3
.
.

4

Livin' It Up
5:06
Smith

This Nearly Was Mine
3:15
Rodgers / Hammerstein

Big Boss Man
6:24
Smith / Dixon

Valley Of The Dolls
4:53
Previn / Previn

 
  label a  

recording dates

studio

label

cat no.

 

13 & 14/05/68


United Studios, Holywood

Verve

V6–8750

 

label b – all from MGM issue

PERSONNEL
organ
Jimmy Smith
 
     
arr/cond
  Oliver Nelson  
     

strings

 

unknown (14)

 
     
reeds
 

Plas Johnson (Tenor Saxohpone)
Tom Scott

 
     
trumpet
  Conte Candoli  
     
trombone
 

Ernie Tack
Billy Byers

 
     
guitar
  Howard Roberts  
     
bass
  Ray Brown  
     
fender bass
  Carol Kaye  
     
percussion
  Larry Bunker  
     
drums
  unknown  
  TECH  
producer
  Esmond Edwards  
     
engineer
  Eddie Brackett  
     
remix
  Dave Green at A&R Studios, New York City  
     
dir. of eng.
  Val Valentin  
REISSUES label   year   cat no.      
    MGM   1968   SVLP 9227      
     
    Verve   11/01/05   V6-8750      
REVIEW   For the first time, Jimmy Smith's sound is augmented by a string orchestra. Sadly the results are a little erratic. Whilst there are a couple of tracks on here that deserve to be on the his numerous Verve compliations, there are more that would best be forgotten (namely tracks a3, a5 and b2). First up is a version of Lalo Schifrin's famous TV theme. He is said to have preferred the arrangement of this version to that of his own (to the extent that this tune can be found on some his 'Best Of' compilations). Burning Spear is an oddly understated tune that features some lovely flute work, as well as a catchy electric bass. After repeated listens, it begins to resemble the centre point of the album. Jimmy takes a vocal on Big Boss Man, which is an uptempo burner somewhat similar in tone to Stay Loose from the album of the same name and is the punchiest moment on the LP. All in all this album is just a bit too haphazard for its own good.