All the way [4;29]
Embraceable you [5:08]
Angel eyes [4:53]
At last [4:53]
Someone to watch over me [5:30]
Everytime we say goodbye [5:14]
I’ll be around [4:38]
My foolish heart [5:23]
I’m getting sentimental over you [6:06]
Street of dreams [2:53]
Jimmy Scott (vocals)
Kenny Barron (piano)
Ron Carter (bass)
Grady Tate (drums)
John Pisano (guitar)
David ‘Fathead’ Newman (saxophone)
All The Way is a 2007
reissue of a recording made in 1992 featuring
American jazz vocalist ‘Little’ Jimmy Scott.
A Jimmy Scott virgin might be fooled by the
soprano-like timbre of Scott’s voice – the
result of a genetic condition which stunted
Scott’s growth at five feet, and left him
with a high, undeveloped voice.
With a vocal style somewhere
between Nina Simone and Ray Charles, Scott’s
unique high tone colour is akin to that of
an alto saxophone. His style was hugely influential
on many singers including Marvin Gaye and
Stevie Wonder, and doubtless continues to
be so to many aspiring singers in this genre.
With an unobtrusive core
backing personnel of piano, bass, drums, guitar
and saxophone, Scott’s support hits exactly
the right chord (pun intended). The smattering
of perfectly placed and delicately tickled
solos throughout from keyboard (Embraceable
You) and sax (At Last) make for
deliciously poised interludes allowing the
diminutive star to catch his breath. There
are also instrumental additions in some tracks
including wind, strings and in one instance
a harp, used to magical effect at the end
of Every Time We Say Goodbye.
However, the overriding element
of this recording is the distinctive quality
of Scott’s trademark voice. It has a certain
haunting elegance (assisted by the mood of
the actual songs) and the performance sounds
as if it genuinely comes from the heart. Such
personal delivery of these songs makes for
a truly magical listening experience. It is
somehow comforting to know that this octogenarian
crooner still maintains a busy performing
schedule around the world.
All the songs on this disc
are sumptuous slow ballads that amble along
in a lazy and unhurried fashion, so if you’re
after razzmatazz jazz with a kick on it like
a mule, this is not the CD for you. Short
of experiencing the real thing, my advice
as to how best to enjoy this music is to sit
back in your favourite comfy chair in a poorly
lit room with a cigar and a good claret.
Max Kenworthy
CD Reviews
RHINO 8122-77655-2
