Spotify seems to have mixed up organ queen Shirley Scott with a clairvoyant of the same name, but there was a deep spirituality in her playing. Jazz, funk and soul on the Hammond organ epitomise the Saturday night / Sunday morning dichotomy at the heart of African-American music. Scott’s mix of raunchy roadhouse grooves and gospel puts her in the company of Aretha Franklin, Al Green and Prince.
Scott had been playing her energetic, physical style of organ since the 1950s, so no wonder she’d slowed a bit by this final album from 1992. One would have hoped for a more respectful, supportive band at this point. Instead trumpeter Terell Stafford and saxophonist Tim Warfield seem set on showing off, making the first two tracks, a lively Caribbean romp and a Stafford original, skippable.
The queen gets to shine on the 11-minute version of Benny Carter’s A Walkin’ Thing, which leaves room for leisurely turns by all three soloists. Scott delights with an eloquent exploration, her sound spanning from fruity to high-flying over that walkin’ bassline. On When A Man Loves A Woman, we get to hear Scott unaccompanied, her left hand setting up a deft rhythm section while the right contemplates bodily and soulful love.
Warfield returns on a warmer, more introspective note akin to Scott’s ex, Stanley Turrentine, on her tune What Makes Harold Sing? The original with Harold Vick is on her excellent, independently produced One For Me from 1974, also recently reissued.
It’s back to horn bombast for a couple of tunes including a Warfield original before the extended finale, Irving Berlin’s Remember. Scott delivers a delightfully unhurried solo that builds up a head of steam, her left hand setting up chunky grooves while the right trills up the keyboard, bringing together late-night parties and Sunday services as only she could.
Discography
Carnival (Panamanian Independence Song); D.T. Blues; A Walkin’ Thing; When A Man Loves A Woman; What Makes Harold Sing?; Shades Of Bu; How Am I to Know?; Remember (44.36)
Scott (o); Terell Stafford (t); Tim Warfield (ts); Arthur Harper (b); Aaron Walker (d). Van Gelder Studio, New Jersey, 17 November 1992.
Candid CCD32062
