The Hammond B3 organ is primarily associated in jazz with the groovy but otherwise lacking in depth soul jazz of
Jimmy McGriff and
Jimmy Smith, among others. Shirley Scott, especially in the 1960s, also let her Hammond roar in funky renditions of jazz and pop songs, often in collaboration with saxophonist and her husband
Stanley Turrentine. Only on later albums, such as the unsurpassed but unsung
… One For Me (1974) did the Philadelphia-born 1934 keyboardist seem to seek more depth in her playing. That can be heard on this first-released live album featuring recordings from 1972. With her trio, she opens with a steamy version of John Coltrane's Impressions. The more than 12-minute performance is immediately the highlight of Queen Talk, but the trio continues to energetically lift the spirits thereafter. Ernie Andrews' drum solos in particular have an almost possessed feel to them, while saxophonist George Coleman, on the other hand, continues to blow warmly and masterfully. But the lead role is for the soulful and inventive Scott, who died in 2002 and - as Queen Talk also demonstrates - deserves more posthumous recognition. (MR)more
