What makes Little Barefoot Soul by Bobby Timmons notable?

This album is significant for its blend of soul and jazz elements, contributing to the crossover appeal of jazz during the 1960s. It showcases Timmons' unique compositional style and received positive critical acclaim, helping solidify his reputation as a key figure in jazz. Released in 1964, Little Barefoot Soul was Bobby Timmons' fifth studio album, following his notable work on the influential trio album Moanin' (1958). At this point in his career, Timmons was establishing himself as a prominent composer and pianist within the hard bop genre, while simultaneously exploring deeper emotional expressions in his music.

How many songs are on Little Barefoot Soul?

Little Barefoot Soul has 6 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

Little Barefoot Soul

Bobby Timmons · 1964

33 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of soulful melodies and intricate jazz rhythms, evoking both warmth and introspection.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
A Little Barefoot Soul — The title track encapsulates Timmons’ signature style, blending lyrical piano lines with a rich rhythmic foundation that sets the tone for the entire album.
→
Walkin', Wadin', Sittin', Ridin' — This track features an engaging interplay between the piano and rhythm section, showcasing Timmons' ability to create dynamic conversation through music.
→
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen — Timmons brings a stirring emotional depth to this traditional spiritual, reinterpreting it with his distinctive jazz flair while maintaining its poignant essence.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Timmons blends soul and jazz effectively, creating engaging melodies and solid performances throughout.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a steady groove, establishing a soulful mood that persists throughout.
Each track showcases Timmons' piano work prominently, often accompanied by subtle rhythm section support that enhances the melodic lines.
The final track is a slow, reflective piece that contrasts with the more upbeat nature of earlier songs, providing a sense of closure.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 A Little Barefoot Soul 4:55
2 Walkin', Wadin', Sittin', Ridin' 7:45
3 Little One 4:00
4 Cut Me Loose, Charlie 5:30
5 Ain't Thinkin' Bout It 8:40
6 Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen 2:20

What to play next

Listen next

Workin' Out!

1964

Go back to

Chun-King

1964

Full Bobby Timmons discography Artists like Bobby Timmons

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata