Johnny Smith - The Johnny Smith Foursome Vol. 2 '1957/2017

Tracks list

Reissue with SHM-CD format and new 24bit remastering. In 1957, Johnny Smith was
at the height of his artistic power when he cut this album for the Roost label.
Smith had a patented method for shifting from single-string statements of the
melody line to complex chordal structures with amazing ease. This ability is put
to use for each of the cuts on this album, but is especially useful on such cuts
as Angel Eyes and You Go to My Head. Smiths guitar also seemed to have a one of
a kind resonance to it, which energized every melody he played, whether on the
melody itself or when improvising, making his playing immediately recognizable.

One clearly hears this kind of assertiveness mixed with subtlety on These
Foolish Things. Although barely two minutes long, Laura finds Smith nevertheless
able to capture the haunting, film noir quality of David Raskins score for the
1944 Otto Preminger film of the same name. Smiths playing approaches the level
of Segovia on this cut. The guitarist brought the same group into the studio
that he used for Vol. 1 of this series. Pianist Bob Pancoast gets a smidgen of
solo space. But, for the most part, the other members of the foursome are there
to support Smith, which they do admirably. For listeners needing a Johnny Smith
album for their collections, this one is an excellent representative of the
unique qualities Smith brought to his playing. Deeply recommended.

Tracks:

01. Angel Eyes (4:18)
02. Deep Night (4:06)
03. These Foolish Things (3:37)
04. East Of The Sun (3:15)
05. Theres A Small Hotel (4:19)
06. Laura (2:36)
07. Tea For Two (4:46)
08. You Go To My Head (4:36)
09. Im Getting Sentimental Over You (5:15)
10. Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart (5:58)

Personnel:

Johnny Smith - g
Bob Pancoast - p
Knobby Totah - b
Mousie Alexander - d

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