Lou Donaldson Mr Shing-A-Ling Vinyl LP Original Pressing1967 Blue Note BST-84271

$

39

Lou Donaldson's large 60s output on Blue Note remains considerably underrated by the large majority of music enthusiasts on the internet and elsewhere. Comfortable in his role from the early 1960s as one of the label's most commercially-oriented artists, Donaldson and his various groups excelled at creating quality soul jazz records with personality and an eminent listenability which appealed to modern jazz's more casual audience - fading, at that time, but still the most important market for any label hoping to stay in the green. 
Donaldson's three album run in the late 60s which consists of Alligator Bogaloo, this album, and Midnight Creeper, represents the peak of his soul jazz discography. Individual previous albums equal these in quality, and subsequent albums come close, but this is Donaldson's big triple-hitter. The three albums themselves are somewhat interchangeable, given that they are stylistically similar and consist of the same basic quintet format with a couple of lineup changes, but generally speaking "Alligator Bogaloo" is hailed as the classic. All include Lonnie Smith on organ and Leo Morris (Idris Muhammad) on drums, and it is their rhythm section that defines the sound. This session sees George Benson leave the group temporarily while Jimmy "Fats" Ponder delivers an excellent performance on guitar, and includes venerable hard-bop trumpeter Blue Mitchell. Donaldson, as he is want to do, leans back and lets the group do the talking, giving the sidemen ample time to stretch out while putting in some tasteful solos himself. Donaldson's sound on alto is heavily reminiscent of Charlie Parker (whom Donaldson always refers to as "Charles"), but Lou is more laid back and funky by this point.
The material is perfect. If you enjoy the boogaloo sound, you'll rejoice in this album. And why shouldn't you? Boogaloo is infectious, groovy, and it's always a great platform for some funky improvisation. While the format is predictable, I never understood the problem people have with artists who jumped on the boogaloo train after the success of Lee Morgan's "The Sidewinder". When it results in hot tracks like "The Humpback", "Peepin'", "The Kid", and a boogaloo version of "Ode to Billie Joe", what's not to like? People will say that "The Shadow of Your Smile" is the weakest track, but people talk what people talk. It does resemble on the surface what many imagine to be "elevator music": bossa rhythm, romantic horn line, and a gentle swing. To me? A classic song, and one of the great standards born from 60s film soundtracks. All of the solos are fantastic, the production is impeccable, and the cover contains a rather off-putting photograph of a girl, like the other two albums in the trio.
To end, "underrated" is the word. If you can, pick up Blue Note's Tone Poet release of this album. Another big win for Lou Donaldson.
CONDITION: Used VINYL: VG+ JACKET: Excellent. Minor ringwear. No splits.
TRACK LISTING:
A1 Ode To Billie Joe Written-By – Bobby Gentry* 6:30 A2 The Humpback Written-By – Lou Donaldson 5:22 A3 The Shadow Of Your Smile (Love Theme From "The Sandpiper") Written-By – Mandel*, Webster* 6:18 B1 Peepin' Written-By – Lonnie Smith 8:18 B2 The Kid Written-By – Harold Ousley 11:00
EBET-BX17-2MM-LOUDONALSONMRSHING-A-LING-BST-84271
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