Johnny Smith

I was going to offer a two-for-one deal on Johnny Smith today. That was before I discovered I have two copies of the same LP - one in the wrong sleeve.

Fortunately, Johnny recorded these records for Roost, which, being a record company, did not hesitate to put out the same product in multiple packages - 10-inch, 12-inch, different covers, different combinations, whatever.

So as a result, I am able to offer the compete LP you see above and five-eighths of the LP you see below. That's because Roost took most of the items from the pink album and added them to five other items from the white album to make a 12-inch LP, which exists with a couple of different covers. I have that record - actually both of them.

I'm sure all the above is not very clear and even less interesting, so let's move on to the music. I wish the situation were straightforward but it is not. Stan Getz is prominently mentioned on both covers (even showing up graphically as a little buddy for Johnny on the top item), but he does not appear on all the cuts. If I read the discography correctly, Zoot Sims is the tenor on My Funny Valentine and Vilia, and Paul Quinichette is on Cavu and I'll Be Around.

These sides are by no means rare, so I might as well confess that, despite the painful exposition above, my motivation here is really to highlight the covers. They are prime examples of the art of Burt Goldblatt, much active as a artist and photographer for record companies. Even with his seeming emphasis on the musicians' left feet, these are really dynamic covers.

But don't let my fascination with the graphics put you off the music. Johnny Smith is a wonderful guitarist who was perhaps too much taken for granted and Stan Getz is Stan Getz. Most interesting and most enjoyable.