Back at the Chicken Shack

A chill jazz album, nothing wrong with it. I don't know a lot about jazz to know why this album is on here, but I have no notes. 5*

Went into this blind and from the name I guessed it would be a country album. I was not expecting smooth jazz. It’s not bad! Not my favorite kind of jazz, but very listenable. I usually lean toward more aggressive or experimental stuff. This is more lounge music, great for background music at a party in the 60s.

Awesome, awesome soul jazz. Jimmy’s playing is so fluid, and Stanley Turrentine has one of the most perfect tenor sax tones ever. Great shit.

4.5/5

It was alright. Had it on as background music - it wasn't bad, but just not my sort of thing

3 ⭐️

Bluesy blue blues

Not my cuppa

Perfectly serviceable jazz, but probably not something I would go back to. It kind of went in one ear and out the other. Favorite song was Messy Bessie

I really enjoyed the grooves and melody on this one.

4.0/5.0: Great

Doesn't set my world alight but thoroughly enjoyable to listen to

This was a pleasant organ-led jazz album. i enjoyed having it on and listened to it a few times. Is it groundbreaking? Not necessarily. But it's something I'll put on in the background every so often. 3/5.

A fun listen. I'm looking forward to more skronk on future jazz picks.

I don't like jazz really, but this one was a real chill time. Way more accessible than most jazz albums, and there was some genuine foot tapping action going on for most of its runtime.

3.5 rounded down.

This is a really solid post-bop (?) jazz album with Jimmy Smith's instantly recognizable organ. Lots of saxamaphone (Stanley Turrentine) for those who like that sort of thing. Doesn't stretch the genre or do anything too fancy, and sometimes that's exactly what you want from a jazz album. The great Kenny Burrell pops by for anice bit on the guitar. Love Jimmy Smith's blues comp. Cool that this is mostly a three-piece.

I'm excited for an album called back at the Chicken shack!

3.25 per track. Pleasant.

I mean, it's jazz. I don't know how to rate this, because it just sounds like jazz. Is it good? I don't know! is it bad? No clue! If you've heard jazz before, you've heard this album. I'm sure that's incredibly reductive analysis, and if someone who actually *knows* jazz reads this they're fuming at what an uncultured moron I am. In terms of rating, it's fine. 2 seems harsh, 3 seems inflated (considering some of the other albums I've rated a 3). I'd give it a 2.5 if I could.

This was nice enough to listen to but it didn't really grab me in any way.

This is the first album I’ve gotten that I didn’t have a strong opinion on, so it’s getting a 3/5 for neutrality. I’m not well acquainted with jazz, so I struggle to see the greatness of this record, but I think that is part of my limited scope on it. A lot of it sounds cliche, but that may be a result of being from 1963. It’s also all instrumental, and I have a better handle on sensing what good songwriting is than good instrumental writing.

I will say that it sounds like good dinner party music. But should that be my criteria for what makes an album worthy of being on this list? I wish their were more information available about its impact or legacy, but sadly, I couldn’t find any. If I knew, I may be able to form some actual opinions.

After immersing myself in the soulful, water-like textures of Jimmy Smith's Hammond organ, I can confidently say that Back At The Chicken Shack is the ultimate "vibe" record. It’s a masterclass in soul-jazz that feels like the sonic equivalent of a warm, dimly lit room or a late-night drive where everything finally feels in sync.

Bonus track is great too!