Paul Smith Trio “This One Cooks!”

The album cover looks like it was put out by the brother-in-law of your local Armada Room weekender, sold a few dozen of the minimum print run out of the trunk of his Buick. I don’t mean that as a put-down, I think it’s awesome—I love the black on deep red two-tone cover and the simple, everything-out-of-proportion cartoon drawing of Paul Smith at a piano from which musical notes rise engulfed in flame. “The One Cooks!” is a great title. It’s hard to date it from the look—though it’s in mint condition—but the back definitely has the feel of a late 50s/early 60s product—bare bones, with credits, the “Outstanding Records” logo and address, some extensive, old-fashioned liner notes (“if you’ve got an afternoon free” length) by Earl Beecher, and tiny b&w ads of other Paul Smith releases. The odd thing is there’s a black band across the top advertising it as a “Digital Recording”—what’s that all about? Maybe this is a re-release. Well, the date on the black-on-red “Outstanding” label is 1981—downright contemporary—almost CD era! And Beecher mentions that it’s Outstanding’s first digital recording. Eight songs, all standards, including one of my favorites, “Laura.” Also, the song that seems like it’s on every other record I write about, “Autumn Leaves”—and a very fine version here indeed.

Somehow, I’d never heard of Paul Smith before, but then, my ignorance knows no bounds. Also, I might have had him confused with another Paul and/or another Smith—I mean, what a name—there must be at least a dozen Paul Smiths out there! So, I read about him a bit on the ol’ ’nternet. A Californian, lifetime pianist, lots of bands, lots of records, lots of studio work with an impressive array of big names. A dozen records with Ella Fitzgerald. Solo and trio records on a lot of different labels. This has got to be a later one. The trio also consists of Wilfred Middlebrooks, bass, and Frankie Capp, drums. It’s a lot of fun (the cheesy cartoon drawing cover and title fits it perfectly). It’s high energy, coked-up (can I use that term while in no way implying that members of the band are under the influence of that heinous drug, or any others? I’m going to allow it, here—good thing I’m my own editor!) high-energy, did I say that already? Full of asides, and winks and nods, knowing smiles, lots of fun. A little showoff-y at times, but that’s what you’re here for Paul Smith for, right? It does cook, too. Someone could tell me he’s a Diet Coke drinker, but I wouldn’t believe it—sounds a lot like a whole pot of coffee to me.

7.12.24