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Jazz for aficionados

Jazz for aficionados

I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.

Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".

"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.

While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10
frogman
7,441 posts
 
O-10, fascinating account of your trip to Haiti. This is an interesting essay that addresses, and corroborates, some of your points:

http://www.africa.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kiroku/asm_normal/abstracts/pdf/21-2/45-54.pdf
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Just a short break from the usual.

And the Winner is ???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lmXi1y1fzs

Cheers
frogman
7,441 posts
 
Well, it's pretty obvious to me; the winner is the live ensemble. First of all, the recording is slightly softer in volume so that will affect our perception. The recording sounds slightly muted in the highs, and has less rhythmic "verve". No brainier, even over an IPad.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
*****Well, it's pretty obvious to me****

Me also. I just thought the 'high-end' would have made a better showing.

Actually I didn't think that. It's just that, given the results, why ask the question and/or do the 'test' in the first place. Given that they 'published' the results, I thought it would demonstrate how close the two were. As you said, no contest.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, I just got a book every jazz aficionado should have, it has photos of all the musicians we've discussed, and then some. This book includes the intimate thoughts and wishes of all the greats.

The title of this book is "Three Wishes"; compiled and photographed by Pannonica De Koenigswarter, in it she asks the jazz greats if they could have three wishes fulfilled, what would the be? There is a beautiful photograph of a young Lee Morgan, sitting up sound asleep. The baby fuzz on his smooth face, and jet black hair tell his age. His three wishes were:

1. "To be held in high esteem by my fellow jazzmen, as well as the audiences-I mean jazz public."

2. "To make oodles of money, and use it wisely."

3. "To make a wonderful husband and father."

It's for certain his first wish was fulfilled, he's still my favorite on trumpet; but his life was cut too short for the last two wishes.

Miles Davis is madder than a march hare; his photos are the most outrageous in the book, and his one wish was "To be white". Ironically his life fulfilled most of the other musicians wishes, which were fame and fortune. Although there is no photo of "Bird", all of his colleagues are well represented. As I said, this is a must have for serious aficionados.
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