Released 60 years ago
Peter & the Wolf
Jimmy Smith · 1966
32 min · 6 tracks · funk
A vibrant jazz fusion interpretation of Prokofiev's classic, blending funk rhythms with playful storytelling through rich instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Duck Theme, Jimmy and the Duck, Peter's Theme, Meal Time — This track masterfully intertwines various themes from Prokofiev's work, showcasing Smith's ability to create a cohesive narrative through improvisation while maintaining a playful energy.
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Elegy for a Duck — The haunting melodies and emotive playing on this track highlight Smith's capacity to convey deep emotion through his organ work, providing a poignant contrast to the more upbeat sections.
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Finale (Parade, Peter Plays Some Blues) — This closing track encapsulates the entire journey of the album, blending celebratory elements with blues influences that reflect Smith's signature style while wrapping up the story beautifully.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This album creatively merges funk and classical elements, offering a unique take on Prokofiev's work.
What we noticed
- The album features a continuous narrative structure, with each track representing a character or event from the story of Peter & the Wolf.
- Funk rhythms are prominent throughout, with the organ leading melodic lines while brass and woodwinds provide harmonic support.
- Several tracks incorporate playful call-and-response sections between instruments, enhancing the storytelling aspect.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- playful storytelling through instrumentation
- steady pacing with narrative flow
- vibrant sound for focused listening
- short, engaging musical vignettes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer immediate gratification tracks
- avoid cohesive narrative experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 1966, Jimmy Smith was at a pivotal moment in his career, having established himself as a leading figure in jazz organ. This album came shortly after his commercial successes in the early 1960s and marked an adventurous departure from traditional jazz forms by adapting a classical narrative into a modern jazz context.
- Stylistic neighbors
- George Benson· Herbie Hancock· Jimmy McGriff
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Bird, The Duck, The Cat, The Grandfather, The Wolf, The Hunter, Peter 4:12
- 2 Duck Theme, Jimmy and the Duck, Peter's Theme, Meal Time 9:41
- 3 Elegy for a Duck 7:16
- 4 Cat in a Tree 5:23
- 5 Capture of the Wolf 1:17
- 6 Finale (Parade, Peter Plays Some Blues) 4:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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