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
O-10, I did read your post. I did not comment on the clips (not that I thought it was a requirement 🤨) for the simple reason that with the African rhythm dispute so fresh I did not want to add any fuel to the fire by pointing out that the “Moanin” clip that you posted three times does not have Pepper Adams playing on it. The baritone player is Ronnie Cuber, the player that pryso will likely hear when he goes to hear “Mingus Dynasty”. The last “Moanin” clip that you posted by itself is with Pepper Adams. Btw, I don’t know why Rok thought they were better than the originals; I’ll let him speak for himself. Pepper Adams could not have been the reason for why he liked that Moanin better since it wasn’t Pepper. Btw, with so many versions of Tunisia, which do you consider the “original”? For me it would have to be Dizzy’s original, no?


Rok, I want you to know that I agree with your post in it's entirety.

First and foremost, I knew personally, professional musicians who played "Hard-Bop", and they would have laughed at you, coming up with this African crap.  Like they were playing it but didn't even know it.  

Yes, he is the most important man in jazz, but since "Mr. Cholly" determines that...... but "Mr. Cholly" determines everything.


And now for something completely different.... A lot of this is Axeplay cuz I was a pro 6-slinger for years. But not all of it.

Kenny Burrell-Best of
Wes Montgomery-The incredible Jazz Guitar
Friday Night in San Francisco-Paco, Al and Johnny
The Crusaders-Best of
Mingus Big Band-The Essential Mingus Band (a tribute but way cool)
Joe Sample-Did You Feel That?
Trilok Gurtu-Believe
John McLaughlin-The Promise
Jacintha-Here's to Ben (I use Danny Boy to center image speakers)
Mike Garson-The Oxnard Sessions Vol. 2 (the guy is certifiably insane)
Return to Forever-Romantic Warrior (jazz/fusion supergroup!)
Tomasz Stanko-Suspended Night (the Pole can play)
Lee Rittenhour-Wes Bound (nice recording)
John Scofield-Bump
Jimmy Smith Live!-Root Down (essential organ jazz)
Louis A-Live at the 1958 Monterey Jazz Fest (gotta mention this, he's my homeboy)
New Orleans 2005 (That's all iTunes had for a title-various NOLA jazz royalty)

And the late great guitar genius-not for the adventurously challenged-Allan Holdsworth:
All Night Wrong
Then!

Hope you find something you might like. I also have some suggestions for Norwegian death metal...(seriously), lol

One more. If you haven't heard it, Jimi Hendrix 'Nine to the Universe'. I've seen the album and CD on eBay. It was originally a bootleg. Shows a jazzy-ish side of him, jamming away. A shame he never got to flesh it out. One of the jams features Roland Kirk. Essential Hendrix or anyone who likes great guitar.
**** I knew personally, professional musicians who played "Hard-Bop", and they would have laughed at you, coming up with this African crap. Like they were playing it but didn’t even know it. ****

Total bs. There probably isn’t or wasn’t  one single “professional” bop musician that doesn’t acknowledge that the basis for jazz rhythms, the underlying influence (and that’s the concept that you guys don’t seem to be able to grasp) is African rhythms; the unique feeling of swing, among other things, which comes right out of those drumming traditions. With respect, O-10, you’re grasping at straws and digging your heels in: not to mention making stuff up.

Over and out on this one. Too bad.