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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
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Tablejockey, I appreciate your honesty; when I strike out, let me know it. Nobody was pleased by my "Rubiyat" post and it wasn't new to anyone.

(Thinking out loud), trying for a new direction, I will not go for the best. Maybe good stuff by the best artists that you may not have heard, but for certain, it can not be a "repeat", I feel like I'm listening to my own echo.


"Sonny Criss" is an artist I don't think has been submitted.

The first thing I notice about "Sonny Criss" is that he has a unique tone; it's like a foggy blue night.

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qckz-Jy1qQ


Sonny Criss lived in LA, but I would not consider him a West Coast musician, because his preferences in music were more from the East. Never the less, if you live in LA, some of it rubs off whether you like it or not, I suppose that made him sort of a nice hybrid. The reason the music has a "West Coast" flavor, is because the musicians he had to choose from in order to cut an album were from LA; consequently, it had West Coast sound.

Here's one I definitely like by "Sonny Criss", check it out.


            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4CoFpdrYtY
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Tablejockey, while your top priority is LP's; how do you rate CD's with no LP available?
alexatpos
1,228 posts
 
Orpheus, just wanted to add that is almost impossible to have all the 'known' and the 'unknown' artists and albums in one collection, so, please, just continue to post whatever comes to your mind. Believe me, there are gaps (certainly in mine) knowledge and I am always very glad to hear something 'new', no matter, or even better, if its from some 'well known' player.
By the way, liked both posts of Sonny Criss,will have to listen more of him.
Thanks.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Alex, that worked out very well for both of us; did you hear how "hybridized" that music was, it wasn't hard-bop, or West Coast, but a combination of both, and a lot of things that sounded good. I'm sure I've got more of Sonny Criss in the collection.

His horn has that "far away" sound I've been trying to find, will continue the search.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Alex, I've been in a "Sonny Criss" groove, and I'm liking it; he's so comfortable with himself, and never tries to get out of recognized boundaries, he also likes to be surrounded by other jazz masters.

Back to the album "Criss Craft", the one with the boat on it, plus the "Isle of Celia". Allmusic gave it a review of 4 1/2 stars, which I agree with.


Sonny Criss - alto saxophone
Dolo Coker - piano
Ray Crawford - guitar
Larry Gales - bass
Jimmie Smith - drums


Those musicians play as if they could read each others mind; this music is an aficionados dream, it just flows from one cut to the next, with no desire to change any thing.



                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqyyyIO4ZlQ


The tone on his sax, and this group of musicians were made for this song.



Now for the vocal by Nancy Wilson


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clt-KRtGTUw


And the best music goes on.


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