Blues for Mr. Jimmy was the last album Hammond B-3 ace
Jimmy McGriff recorded for Sue Records before moving on to Solid State Records in 1965, and in some ways it is the archetypal
McGriff record. Working in a trio format with drummer Jimmie Smith and guitarist Larry Frazier,
McGriff is in fine form, bringing his patented blues- and gospel-inflected soul jazz to the edge of funk on a group of mostly original pieces ("The Party's Over" is the only cover). Highlights of this amazingly cohesive set are the two upbeat opening tracks, "Discotheque U.S.A." and "Cash Box," the undeniably funky "The Dog (You Dog)," and the gorgeous and heavily atmospheric ballad "Turn Blue." Collectables reissued the same set in the same running order in 1990 as
Blues for Mister Jimmy, but this version from Stateside Records appears to have slightly better sound. ~ Steve Leggett