Jimmy Smith: This Guy's in Love with You

The schmaltzy Burt Bacharach/Hal David pop song This Guys in Love with You was for a while something of a jazz standard (and its coming around again, with new versions by the Bad Plus and others). Its most natural-sounding incarnation is the one recorded by Jimmy Smiths trio at an Atlanta club in 1968. Despite the recordings obvious flaw the inconsiderate crowd at Paschals La Carousel is heard talking throughout the tune the trio puts on a soul-jazz master class. Donald Baileys drumming is clean and crisp, and George Bensons smooth genius on the guitar is already on display. Smith lays low at first, holding down chords for Benson, and then comes alive with a solo that throws every conceivable B-3 idea at the chart.