Heaven

More than 70 years old when he recorded this album, Jimmy Scott is a little heavier of voice than he was when he started his career (about 50 years before this album was cut). However, his continues to be a readily distinguishable instrument. A childhood disease called Kallman's Syndrome, which prevents the voice from breaking, left Scott as a soprano. His pure voice, his tender way of dealing with a ballad, as well as an ability to swing, allowed him to perform with some of the jazz greats, including Lionel Hampton, Ray Charles, Richard Davis, Billy Cobham, Junior Mance, and Ron Carter. But, despite his long career, Scott has never achieved great notoriety. Except for a Grammy nomination in 1991, he's been almost a cult figure. On this album for Warner Brothers, Scott is asked to bring to bear all the pathos his voice is capable of delivering (and it is considerable) and apply it to a set of gospel tunes. This is not the driving type of gospel music usually associated with traditional black churches. Rather, it is very subdued and somber, including not only traditional but contemporary material, like Bob Dylan's "When He Returns" and Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready." Scott's voice wavers from time to time, but his emotional timbre and vocal sincerity never falter. Jacky Terrasson's appropriately somber piano lends support (Terrasson is also credited with the arrangements). Percussionist Joseph Bonadio and bass player Hilliard Greene are barely audible, drowned out by voice and piano. This album is for devotees of either this kind of music or of Jimmy Scott.
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