Of all of organist
Jimmy Smith's big-band albums recorded for Verve, this is one of the most imaginative ones.
Oliver Nelson arranged a variety of themes from
Prokofiev's Peter & the Wolf into a swinging suite featuring the great organist
Jimmy Smith. Although there is no verbal narrative on this LP,
Nelson's liner notes tell the story (which can actually be followed through the music) and
Smith pays respect to the original melodies while making strong statements of his own. A classic of its kind. ~ Scott Yanow