Search - Jimmy McGriff :: Worm

Funky Blues Band Rules

Mark Maj | Lackawanna, NY United States | 03/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"McGriff masterfully doles out a quality piece of work here. This is a page right out of Blue Notes classic history book. McGriff fronts a classic blues band setup with a perfectly balanced brass section and a swinging rhythm section. Smartly McGriff employed the help of legendary drummers Grady Tate and Mel Lewis who take turns laying down the foundation for some rocking funk grooves and then was able to show case the beautiful talents of Blue Note great Blue Mitchell on trumpet. Each tune is better then the next and over all leave you wanting more. I highly recommend not only this release but also many of the Blue Note era releases by Jimmy McGriff."

Classic Album

Chris | Australia | 10/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is just totally classic. It's a non-stop album that keep laying out funky tracks - there is no junk on this CD and it stays focussed from start to finish. When you look at the cover and see the title "the worm", you know that this just has to be something with a bit of attitude and it is. Jimmy's Organ smokes, but then so does the trumpet that comes out of nowhere to take things up a gear at various points through the album. Put this CD on and the atmosphere suddenly comes alive. It's totally fun and totally infectious - try standing still. I highly recommend it."

Superb Album

S J Buck | Kent, UK | 09/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"You can't go wrong with this, recorded in 1968 it features the great Hammond Organ playing of Jimmy McGriff with a fantastic band:



Blue Mitchell - Trumpet

Danny Turner - Alto Sax

Fats Theus - Tenor Sax

Bob Ashton - Baritone Sax

Thornel Schwartz - Guitar

Bob Bushell - Electric Bass

Grady Tate or Mel Lewis - Drums



There isn't a bad track on the album, but with the line-up above there isn't as much of McGriff as I'd have liked. The best track for me (after only one listen) is Keep Loose which is 5:54 long. The first 4 mins are just Organ/Bass & drums and McGriff builds up quite a head of steam on this, and only in the last minute or so does another soloist get a chance! This is McGriff at his best, hard-driving bluesy Organ playing that just romps along. If your feet don't tap to this you must be dead!

I wish there was a few more tracks like that, some of the others get close but none are quite as exciting.

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