Jimmy Carpenter – Just Got Started
One thing’s for certain Jimmy Carpenter (sax/vocals) has a fine tone to his sax & his voice is pop-oriented enough to be in a popular song territory. He starts with the catchy original “(Feels Like) I Just Got Started,” with a well-tied soulful stretch that stays in the ears long after it’s done.
Followed wonderfully by the old Willie Dixon standard “My Babe,” — a blue-ribbon contemporary tune with an old-fashioned speedy guitar solo (almost like the guitar tonality used on Teddy Randazzo’s bluesy “Let the Sunshine In”). But the sax & horns punctuate this nicely throughout & consistently.
There are 12 big bites from this musical pie Just Got Started (Drops Sept 13/Gulf Coast Records/54:29) produced by Christoffer “Kid” Andersen (organ/Fender Rhodes/bgv) & recorded in San Jose, CA. The majority are split between originals & covers. It is an interesting mix of sound by several distinguished musicians.
Carpenter, though he has the ability, doesn’t fire off vibrant bounteous notes on his sax ala the late Gary Windo (Pam Windo & The Shades) or Jaroslav (Jakubovic) who issued LPs on Columbia (“Checkin’ In,” “Blast”) & played for a variety of artists. Though, on “Soul Theme” he cruises into that Windo/Jaroslav ether with acute expertise.
This isn’t Art Pepper type of sax entirely, but Jimmy has that finesse & touch Pepper used (on a Melanie track years ago “I’m So Blue”). He doesn’t play like the saxes that drove on The Rockin’ Rebel’s early 60s hit “Wild Weekend,” but he has that spark.
Sax is a funny thing. The sound is dictated by the type of sax blown. Tenor, alto, or baritone – but this LP is filled with bright passes & “Jimmy Shimmy,” is a 50s-early 60s type instrumental. The tune also features a Hammond (but not as stabbing as rocker Lee Michaels).
This is a fine showcase for several musicians. Very generous of Carpenter who didn’t dominate the set with sax, sax, sax. Jimmy knows less is more. But when he does step into the spotlight, the distinction of who showcases this is evident. The song reminded me of the dominating melodic sax (played by Bernie Nee) that permeated The Five Blobs’ (Nee was all 5) film score “The Blob” (written by Burt Bacharach-Hal David) in 1959. Now that was when sax was a rock n’ roll centerpiece. Despite the retro feel of some tunes the Carpenter performances are all captured well, are soulful, tight & above all genuinely sincere.
Highlights – “(Feels Like) I Just Got Started,” “My Babe,” “Jimmy Shimmy,” “Shining Star,” “Soul Theme,” “Keep On Stepping” & “Midnight Blue.”
Musicians – Jim Pugh (keys), Derrick D’mar Martin (drums/percussion) with Jerry Jemmott (bass), Bobby Vega (bass/guitar), Endre Tarczy (piano), Mike Galisatus (trumpet), Jack Sanford (baritone sax), Lisa Andersen, Dwayne Morgan, Walter Morgan & James Morgan (bgv).
CD cover image courtesy of Paul Citone. CD @ https://jimmycarpenter.net/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: “Soul Doctor” by Jimmy Carpenter is an Instant Mood Boost
Thanks for the details. I have to say this is great album.