Jimmy Smith's best albums?

My classic favorite was "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" (arrangements by Oliver Nelson) until I discovered the 2 disks he did with Wes Montgomery - "The Dynamic Duo" and "Further Adventures of".

Most of the Blue Note releases were very very good. One of my favorites and the most fun is Crazy Baby. There is a smoking version of "A Night in Tunisia". The ending will blow you away.

The bomb is "Open House" the whole thing just smokes. Followed by "House Party" which is almost as good. I must mention that the sound on these is excellent on LP.

The Japanese King and Toshiba LP reissues were excellent in every way.

Have to agree with "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" The 1st cut, "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" is mind-blowing.
Also, "The Sermon," with solos by Lee Morgan, Lou Donaldson, Kenny Burrell and Art Blakey.
Enjoy!

All of 'em (dotcom blues & the sermon are my favorites).

Any that had then underrated and now (because of Mosaic re-issue) Tina Brooks.Think this is "House Party" and "The Sermon".His last few CD's like "Dot Com Blues" and "Damn" are amazing rave yups considering his age and have everybody under the sun coming to pay and play homage to the master.I also have one I think called "Softly As In a Morning Breeze" breeze" with Kenny Burrell because it's chilled out.Read the guys bio in www.allmusic.com.He wanted to play Organ bnut some old timer told him in a club he'd need 10+ years to play it let alone master it.He then pissed off bought a B-3 and locked himself off into Warehouse fopr three months and came out the undisputed master.He was so far ahead of everybody he reminds me of J.J.Johnosn on Trombone.When heard on LP nobody thought hee could be playing a non-valve trombone and couldn't be using the slide.But like Smith he just had what it took to be the best.Another guy to check out is "The Allmighty Burner" Charles Earland-get the live "Living Black"-It's so greasy and funky you'll ears will burn off.Lasltly if you are a modal jazz fan (into Coltrane say) than pick up the one guy of many who didn't sound like Smith that being Larry Young.His new Jazz and especially Blue Note LP's are out of this world.Check out one he did with Grant Green called "Street of Dreams".But with Jimmy Smith you aren't going to get any bad lp'S Ajust slightly less than genius.Use the hardcover book (picked up cheap on Ebay) or the web site "The All Muisc Guide To Jazz" which is published in book from by Miller Freeman Press.Given how much CD's cost it's the best investment a jazz lover can make.The web site is great for snap references.Take a look at his listings before you buy and if your reallyinto the B-3 check out (on site and in book) the "Music Maps" which tell you the history of the intrument from pre-swing,swing,bop to comtemporary times and who were the dominant names on any particular instrument.
Dig it
chazzbo