LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT

At Flushing Town Hall – June 20, 2003

By CHARWIN NAH

After many years of obscurity, LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT is now enjoying the acclaim he so richly deserves.  Mr. SCOTT's performance at Flushing Town Hall on June 20 was, in a word, masterful.  His phrasing and timing on the old standard, “When Somebody Loves You”, was no less than superb.  His voice reveals a certain vulnerability and tells a story as only JIMMY SCOTT can.  In the words of RAY CHARLES, "...his voice has a sadness which, if you're not careful, will reduce you to tears."  It is important to note that JIMMY SCOTT sings about the emotions he has lived.

SCOTT's delivery of “Blue Skies” gave further proof of his use of timing.  Always a beat slower than the band, SCOTT uses this skill to his advantage when singing up-tempo jazz standards as well as ballads.  This skill was never more evident in his readings of “I've Cried Over You” and “Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child.”

No review of JIMMY SCOTT would be complete without mention of his heartfelt delivery of “Everybody's Somebody's Fool”.  SCOTT has always had a love for the ballads that speak to desperate, unrequited love.  His performance of this song, his signature ballad, came directly from his heart.  In every song whispered by the voice of JIMMY SCOTT there comes a certain wisdom that has come from of life of disappointment.  It is a testament to his sheer tenacity that he now enjoys the fame he so richly deserves.

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