Music On My Mind by Willie "the Lion" Smith - Uhune

ALBUM

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 /TiVo

1. The Stuff Is Here

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Composer: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Composer

2. In A Minor Groove

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Composer: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Composer

3. Some Of These Days

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Composer: Shelton Brooks; Composer
Translation: Red Mitchell
Helen Merrill; Production
Composer Lyricist: Shelton Brooks; Other

4. Ain't She Sweet

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Composer: Jack Yellen
Milton Ager; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Milton Ager
Jack Yellen; Other

5. H And M Blues

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Composer: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Composer

6. Shine

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Composer: Ford Dabney; Composer
Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Author: Cecil Mack
Lew Brown; Production

7. Steeplechase

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Composer: James P. Johnson; Composer
Composer Lyricist: James P. Johnson; Other

8. Summertime

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Composer: George Gershwin
Dorothy Heyward; Composer
Author: Ira Gershwin
Dubose Edwin Heyward; Production
Composer Lyricist: Dorothy Heyward; Other

9. Sharps And Flat

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Composer: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Composer

10. Sparklets

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Composer: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Composer

11. Dinah

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Composer: Joe Young
Sam M. Lewis; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Sam M. Lewis
Joe Young; Other

12. Honeysuckle Rose

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Composer: Fats Waller; Composer
Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Author: Andy Razaf; Production

13. Polonaise

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Composer: Frederic Chopin; Composer

14. All Out Of Breath

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Willie Smith; Performer
Composer: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Composer

15. Music On My Mind

by Willie "the Lion" Smith

Primary Artist: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Main Performer
Performer: Willie Smith; Performer
Composer: Willie "the Lion" Smith; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Willie Smith; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

15 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

51 minutes and 1 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 640x640 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

2/15 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

No synced lyrics found

Genres

Jazz

Label

Universal Music Division Decca Records France

Music Distribution Service

Unknown

Country

France

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 31, 2000

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

4400140322