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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
pryso
1,955 posts
 
o10, alex, I've had that album (Elevator/Lift to the Gallows, or Jazz Track) since the early '60s.  Actually make that two copies, they have different covers and slightly different liner notes.  I admit I never bother with the soundtrack side (1).  And no, I've never seen the film.  However side 2 includes Coltrane, Cannonball, Evans, Chambers, and Cobb (think Kind of Blue) and offers three beautiful ballads -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nic4lb02ANw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6ItyaYgvKM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MnohCMudG4

If you're a fan at all of the most influential and enduring jazz album of all time (IMHO), how could you not love these?
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Pryso, now it's coming back to me; I first heard that in a ladies apartment who was a Miles Davis fanatic, and she had everything he had recorded; this must have been in 1960.

Funny thing, I don't remember the cover, but now I remember the tracks; that was a most unforgettable "On Green Dolphin Street"; it always brings back pleasant memories.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

I forgot to mention Pryso, make sure you see the movie, and after all these years, you will really enjoy the music.
frogman
7,480 posts
 
I do love those tracks, pryso; the “Ascenseur” tracks, while enjoyable and mood setting, not as much. I’ve had the record “Jazz Track” for many years and as you imply have often thought of it as a precursor and partner (of sorts) to KOB. For me, one of the most interesting things about “Jazz Track” is Bill Evans’ playing on it. Those tracks were recorded a mere month or so after Miles’ “Milestones” recording. On “Jazz Track” Bill Evans replaced Red Garland in a band in which with the exception of the drummer the personnel was essentially the same; same horns and same bass player as in “Milestones”. It is fascinating to me how on “Jazz Track” Bill Evans plays in a style which is remarkably like that of Red Garland with very little use of single note lines in his solos and relying mostly on chord movement, like guitar strumming; precisely the style that set Red Garland aside from most piano players and a technique and style that Garland pioneered. Coincidence?





frogman
7,480 posts
 
Love Red Garland’s feel and swagger; and that “block chord” style:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=owL-uQuVYLc


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