Dot Com Blues Jimmy Smith Blue Thumb Records, 2001 Buy it online Tracks 1: Only In It For The Money 2: 8 Counts For Rita 3: Strut 4: CC Rider 5: I Just Wanna Make Love To You 6: Mood Indigo 7: Over & Over 8: Three O'Clock Blues 9: Dot Com Blues 10: Mr. Johnson 11: Tuition Blues   Reviewed by Winston Capley	The Hammond B3 organ has an unusual sound but one that is, nonetheless, distinctive and recognizable. It is not easily confused or mistaken for any other instrument. Its thrumming, throbbing, provocative warble might bring back memories of 1950s and 60s rock and blues or of that cheap porn movie sound track with all its appropriate suggestiveness. It's also not an instrument that is currently thought of as popular; if one were to think of it at all. When you think of blues or jazz, the instruments we commonly associate are piano, guitar, harmonica, trumpet, saxophone, etc. On his latest album, Dot Com Blues, I predict that Jimmy Smith will usher in a new era for an almost forgotten instrument and give a fresh -- albeit decidedly retro -- voice to the B3. I also foresee a new generation of listeners for Smith and users of the unique-sounding organ. On Dot Com Blues we get the honor of hearing one of the recognized masters of the B3 -- born in 1928, Smith has been playing piano since he was nine. Now in his 70s, Smith only sounds sharper and more confident than ever. An instrument that can oft times sound overbearing and hackneyed, Smith makes the ham-handed Hammond chime in an elegant fashion and has it doing tricks while coaxing sounds out of it that would have mere keyboard mortals rubbing the charley horses out of their digits. The album is a gratifying blend of jazz and blues with Smith's keyboard work providing an anchor and running theme for all of the songs. Smith serves listeners a wide range of moods and organ sounds from a sultry version of Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo" to more upbeat tunes like the slightly raunchy "Mr. Johnson" and the Smith-penned title track where Jimmy gets to hammer out some of the signature licks that have come to be recognized as his own unique style and approach to playing the B3. Joining Smith on Dot Com Blues are such luminaries as B.B. King, lending vocals and guitar on King's "Three O'Clock Blues," Dr. John adding his distinctive vocals and piano to "Only In It For The Money" and piano on Smith's "Mr. Johnson." Etta James is still in fine voice as she enthusiastically belts out the Willie Dixon Standard "I Just Wanna Make Love To You," Taj Mahal sounds fresh and funky on his own composition "Strut" and Keb' Mo' contributes guitar and vocals to his own wonderfully lush "Over & Over." Though they do not appear all the way through Dot Com Blues, don't think that these special guests are simply bright add-ons. Smith takes almost a background role throughout the proceedings, allowing his contributors -- along with a roster of other fine musicians including Harvey Mason on drums, Lenny Castro on percussion, Reggie McBride on bass, Russell Malone on guitar and Was (Not Was) vocalists Sir Harry Bowens and Sweet Pea Atkinson singing back up for Etta James -- a large share of the limelight and creating a remarkable collaborative effort along the way. Other tunes on the album getting the Jimmy Smith Hammond workout are "8 Counts For Rita," a swinging jazzy-edged piece, an almost unrecognizable reworking of the old standard "CC Rider;" a song I was never overly fond of but which has been revamped with Smith's own arrangement and sans any vocals, is a strong contender as one of my favorites on this album. "Tuition Blues" along with "Dot Com Blues" -- inspired, no doubt by the current state of some Web markets -- can almost be seen as set pieces and if either had vocals you no doubt would hear some poor soul wailin' about how he became an overnight thousandaire because of plummeting online stocks or how the teacher just don't understan' that I now canmot afford to buy my Poli-Sci textbooks. So haul out your Naugahyde bar and red velvet swag lamps, put on your best gold, quilted-satin smoking jacket and be prepared to swing baby, 'cause Dot Com Blues serves up some of the freshest retro-edged blues and jazz. | February 2001   Whenever Winston Capley hears the seductive growl of the Hammond B3, he feels an irresistible urge to close his bedroom door for fear that his mother may walk in.	Smith makes the ham-handed Hammond chime in an elegant fashion and has it doing tricks while coaxing sounds out of it that would have mere keyboard mortals rubbing the charley horses out of their digits