Shirley Scott Plays The Big Bands

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3 stars, writing that "although nothing all that unexpected occurs, it is fun."

NPR, as part of its Take Five series, singled out the title track, writing: "Scott was powerful, especially for her size, but her style also employed control and subtlety, even when working with a large ensemble."

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic

1. "Roll 'Em" (Mary Lou Williams) - 4:08
2. "For Dancers Only" (Don Raye, Sy Oliver, Vic Schoen) - 3:43
3. "Sophisticated Swing" (William Hudson, Mitchell Parish) - 2:51
4. "Sometimes I'm Happy" (Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans) - 3:54
5. "Little Brown Jug" (Joseph Winner) - 3:57
6. "Stompin' at the Savoy" (Edgar Sampson) - 3:57
7. "Ain't Misbehavin'" (Thomas "Fats" Waller, Harry Brooks, Andy Razaf) - 3:30
8. "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" (Van Alexander, Ella Fitzgerald) - 3:55
9. "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" (Mercer Ellington) - 5:19
10. "Tippin' In" (Robert Smith, Marty Symes) - 4:33

Recorded on April 15 (tracks 7-10) and April 19, 1966, (tracks 1-6).

• Shirley Scott - organ
• Oliver Nelson - arranger, conductor (tracks 1-4)
• Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Jimmy Nottingham, Ernie Royal, Clark Terry - trumpet (tracks 1-4)
• Quentin Jackson, Melba Liston, Tom McIntosh - trombone (tracks 1-4)
• Paul Faulise - bass trombone (tracks 1-4)
• Jerry Dodgion, Phil Woods - alto saxophone (tracks 1-4)
• Bob Ashton, Jerome Richardson - tenor saxophone (tracks 1-4)
• Danny Bank - baritone saxophone (tracks 1-4)
• Attila Zoller - guitar (tracks 1-4)
• Richard Davis (tracks 7-10), George Duvivier (tracks 1-6) - double bass
• Ed Shaughnessy (tracks 7-10), Grady Tate (tracks 1-6) - drums