WILLIE "The Lion" SMITH - Music On My Mind (1965-2001) Jazz In Paris 64 | RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Willie "The Lion" Smith was one of the last remaining giants from the stride piano era when he made this studio recording for Decca in 1965. Although seven of the 15 tracks are Smith's compositions, they are not his better known works, adding to the value of this release. One can hear how a performance like the driving "In a Minor Groove" could have influenced Duke Ellington early in his career. There are also strong takes of oldies like "Ain't She Sweet" and "Some of These Days," along with an elaborate arrangement of George Gershwin's "Summertime" that likely dazzled the composer if he had the opportunity to hear it during his many visits to Harlem. Smith delves into the works of his comrades in stride, including James P. Johnson's demanding and unjustly obscure "Steeplechase" and protégé Fats Waller's well-known "Honeysuckle Rose." This CD reissue adds three previously unreleased tracks, among them a playful reworking of Fryderyk Chopin's "Polonaise" and Smith's own "All Out of Breath" and "Music on My Mind," both adding his friendly (if somewhat hoarse) vocals. Recommended. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Stuff Is Here 3:15
Willie "The Lion" Smith
2     In a Minor Groove 3:02
Willie "The Lion" Smith
3     Some of These Days 3:33
Shelton Brooks
4     Ain't She Sweet 2:55
Milton Ager / Jack Yellen
5     H&M Blues 4:05
Willie "The Lion" Smith
6     Shine 4:09
Lew Brown / Ford Dabney / Cecil Mack
7     Steeplechase 3:16
James P. Johnson
8     Summertime 3:29
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
9     Sharps and Flat 3:05
Willie "The Lion" Smith
10     Sparklets 3:08
Willie "The Lion" Smith
11     Dinah 3:26
Harry Akst / Sam M. Lewis / Joe Young
12     Honeysuckle Rose 4:32
Andy Razaf / Fats Waller
13     Polonaise 2:42
Frédéric Chopin
14     All Out of Breath 2:57
Willie "The Lion" Smith
15     Music on My Mind 3:25
Willie "The Lion" Smith
Credits :
Piano – Willie "The Lion" Smith
Vocals – Willie "The Lion" Smith (faixas: 14, 15)
Nota :
Recorded November 30, 1965 in Paris
Reissue of the Decca LP 154 158
Tracks 13-15 are previously unreleased