Drives

by Dr. Lonnie Smith

Overview

Lonnie Smith had the raw skills, imagination, and versatility to play burning originals, bluesy covers of R&B and pop, or skillful adaptations of conventional jazz pieces and show tunes. Why he never established himself as a consistent performer remains a mystery, but this 1970 reissue shows why he excited so many people during his rise. Smith's solos on "Spinning Wheel" and his own composition, "Psychedelic PI," are fleet and furious, boosting the songs from interesting to arresting. He's also impressive on "Seven Steps to Heaven," while the array of phrases, rhythms, and voicings on "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" demonstrate a mastery of the organ's pedals and keys rivaling that of the instrument's king, Jimmy Smith. ~ Ron Wynn

Product Details

Release Date:	12/13/2024
Label:	Blue Note Records
UPC:	0602465148602

Tracks

1. Twenty-Five Miles
2. Spinning Wheel
3. Seven Steps to Heaven
4. Psychedelic Pi
5. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dr. Lonnie Smith   Primary Artist
Ronnie Cuber   Guest Artist

Technical Credits

Dr. Lonnie Smith   Composer
Jerry Wexler   Composer
Miles Davis   Composer
David Clayton-Thomas   Composer
Harvey Fuqua   Composer
Bert Berns   Composer
Kevin Knox   Composer
Don Kirkpatrick   Composer
Johnny Bristol   Composer
Victor Feldman   Composer
Keith Knox   Composer
Edwin Starr   Composer
E. Starr   Composer