LP-729

Jimmy Grissom - World Of Trouble

Released 1963

Recording and Session Information

Jimmy Grissom, vocals; Jay Peters tenor saxophone; John Young, piano; George Eskridge, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, guitar; Sam Kidd, bass; Philip Thomas, drums
Ter Mar, Chicago, August 29 and September 3 1963

12651 Mean and evil woman blues
12652 World of trouble
12653 I don't want you to love me
12654 I believe I'll make a change
12659 Mood indigo
12660? Lost in meditation
12661 I'll miss you
12662 The cheater

Track Listing

World Of Trouble	Oscar Brown Jr	29 Aug, 3 September 1963
Mood Indigo	Ellington-Mills-Bigard	29 Aug, 3 September 1963
I'll Miss You	John Burton	29 Aug, 3 September 1963
Lost In Meditation	Ellington-Tizol-Mills	29 Aug, 3 September 1963
Mean And Evil Woman Blues	Hudson, Whittaker	29 Aug, 3 September 1963
I Don't Want You To Love Me	Jerry Crutchfield	29 Aug, 3 September 1963
I Believe I'll Make A Change	Robert Brown	29 Aug, 3 September 1963
The Cheater	E. Edwards	29 Aug, 3 September 1963

Liner Notes

VOCAL stylings, like instrumental improvisations, can vary so greatly from one performer to another that categorizing an artist is not only an almost impossible task, but in most instances an unrewarding one. For an immediate example let us examine the musical character of the featured performer of this album — Jimmy Grissom.

Jimmy, originally from Leland, Mississippi and now a Chicago resident, spent a great deal of his formative years on the west coast under the excellent tutelage of his uncle, the late Jimmy Lunceford, musician/vocalist, Dan Grissom. Dan who passed away in 1963 was still semi-active in the jobbing field. From him Jimmy learned many important things, among them the secrets of in-tune singing, big band phrasing and the overall facets of professional stage presence.

While working in the L.A. area (during the 40's and early 50's) Jimmy had a hit record, "Once There Was A Fool," the success of which was broad enough to launch him on a follow-up tour of the south-west, where after completing his own mostly blues shouting engagement, he "sang in" with the great Duke Ellington orchestra then passing through Ft. Worth on a string of one-nighters. Duke enjoyed his versatility and conception so much that he had Jimmy join the band shortly thereafter. He was a featured vocalist with Duke for six years (1952-'58).

Of the many recordings young Grissom made with Duke, the most prominent were "Without A Song" and "Blue Moon" on Capitol, and the vocal section of one of Dukes longer works, "Strange Feeling" on Columbia.

That Jimmy would be so very beneficially influenced by working with this great man and his musicians for such a long while is very obvious. So, by the late 50's we can discern two major influences, Dan Grissom and Duke Ellington. The afore-mentioned elder Grissom teachings and the latter moulding Ellington experiences led Jimmy Grissom to the basic development of his own personal style. Also treat not lightly the fact that during Jimmys tenure Duke also employed several other unique vocal artists including Betty Roche, Joya Sherrill, Ossie Bailey and Lil Greenwood, all of whom possess their own individual qualities with which they interpret and convey their feeling to an audience.

I think you'll also notice certain likenesses in some of Jimmy's phrasings, intonations and pronunciations to Al Hibblcr, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Joe Turner and Jimnny (with whom Grissom has worked). But still there is an identifiable Grissom sound and approach that is different from all of these. Although he's not what you'd call an out and out "blues shouter" like Turner. or a satirist like Hibbler and Vinson; he does embody the best qualities of these varied interpretations in a mold, with his own particular personality shining brightly through.

The "Lonely Ballads" half of the album title covers side one, the "Low Down Blues" haif, side two. Incidentally, this being Jimmy's first feature album particular care was given to the choosing of his accompanying musicians. They are some of the finest from Chicago's great well-spring of talent. Only guitarist Matthew Murphy may be a new name to Argo fans. The others, John Young, Phil Thomas, Sam Kidd (the John Young Trio), guitarist George Eskridge, and top tenor man Jay Peters have all appeared on previous Argo dates (and undoubtedly will do so on many future ones). Their accomplishments and solo bits are gems. Particularly listen to Jay Peters strong but sensitive tenor which solos on most every tune but most impressively on "I'll Miss You" (with a great Jimmy Forrest influence here) and "The Cheater." The rhythm section sparkles throughout with pianist Young especially glittering on the head cocking "gospely" "I Don't Want You To Love Me" and "The Cheater" with its reminder of the famous Pete Johnson/Joe Turner outings. Two of Ellington's beauties quite understandably are included on the ballad side, "Mood Indigo" with Kidd's walking bass providing the main rhythmic drive and the almost completely neglected mood song, "Lost In Meditation" (Young's intro and solo here are of pure unadulterated beauty). "Mean and Evil Woman" reminds me of "Outskirts of Town" and is a typical semi-humorous big city blues with Murphy's twangy gutter guitar solo sandwiched between Jimmy's statements that "I Ain't Gonna Let You Worry My Life No More." Oscar Brown Jr.'s bluesy ballad, "World of Trouble," is an up-to-date statement of a fairly universal problem with an obvious solution of 'living double.'

Throughout all of these selections Jimmy Grissom exhibits his good taste and excellent varied background. He swings when he wants to, shouts when he must and cries out his love and devotion most convincingly. His voice range covers the low, the high and the in-between in full fashion. There are no tricks or annoying cloying mannerisms. It's all straightforward and moving. For Jimmy Grissom is a straightforward and moving man. He is well schooled and prepared for whatever turns his career may take. He can go to the top, as I believe he will, and he's prepared to "pay some more dues" if he has to. But, one thing is sure, whatever happens Jimmy Grissom has something beautfully urgent to say and he's got all the know-how and equipment with which to say it. Give a listen !

—JOE SEGAL