Search - Jimmy Scott :: Everybody's Somebody's Fool (Dig)

A unique song interpreter at an early peak

Josh Farrar | San Francisco | 06/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone familiar with Jimmy Scott since he was re-embraced by fans in the early 90s knows that he is an artist on the same caliber with the greatest talents in the history of jazz -- Bille Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Johnny Hartman.While he is still a great talent, he may have been in even finer voice on these Lionel Hampton and other recordings. His voice truly soars here.Much of what an audience hears in Scott's performances today is a reflection of his age. His clear enunciations, his evocation of the simple yet profound lyrics of the standards he favors, his performative flair, are all achievements of a man and an artist who has tasted life and learned from it.The young Jimmy Scott is a different animal -- young, vibrant, and devil may care, his zest and passion are unmistakeable and infectious."

Interpretations like few others

John K. Reed | Harrisburg, PA United States | 02/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unfortunately I just learned about 'Little' Jimmy Scott within' the last few years. Or perhaps it's better to say i've only come to appreciate him in the last few years. When I first heard him I was rather put off by the feminine quality of his voice. But as i've matured and learned to just listen without prejudice and bring much more experience and maturity to his phenomenal recordings I have to rank him as one of the great artists of our time.His voice has that quality of what I like to call irony. He can convey both pleasure and pain at the same time with a single note. Beauty and sadness. Joy and sorrow. There's a depth of understanding and conveyance that I can only equate to one other singer. Billie Holiday.The songs on this album are quite simple but they are delivered with so much feeling and clarity that they are elevated by Jimmy's performance.I have also purchased the Bravo Profiles cd which is not listed here on Amazon but contains some absolutely marvelous renditions of some rather poignant songs. My personal favorite has to be his rendition of the Unchained Melody. I have to say that I think that this may be the most beautiful rendition of ANY song that i've ever heard. The arrangements are beyond belief and I can only describe his singing by relating a story. While driving from the northeast to Florida I was playing that cd. When that song came on and Jimmy started singing it brought tears to my eyes. It was like I had never heard that song before although i've heard it performed by many other numerous times. But I have to say that I heard something in his delivery that I have never heard before. If I ever get married that's the song that i'll play for the first dance.Jimmy is probably the best artist that very few people have ever heard of and probably even fewer can really appreciate."