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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
schubert
7,386 posts
 
rok, no doubt , in any event he won't be at Concertgebouw .
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Re. The Kid at the piano comparison was full of himself and wanted what
he wanted on technical grounds , so would I if I had to play it.But I don’t , I listen to the piano from a distance and only care about the music.

IMO , here is a better comparison from a humble and mature player
who is fair . To my hears if the Bosendorfer is not more musical I will fly to Budapest , swim up stream to Vienna and eat the piano. No salt .
But I could be wrong , I was once , but she left.         This is no doubt my broken brain, but every time I hear a Bosendorfer , I think it is voiced to the human voice , not a machine but a living thing ! Some Great jazz players use them.
https://youtu.be/T2GYYV8JSqM
pjw81563
1,829 posts
 
Conrad Yeatis "Sonny" Clark never played to a large venue and was most likely penniless when he died way to young from an overdose of heroin while "bootin It" (4th link), but he certainly was, IMHO, a master rhythmic accompanist and played with some of the greatest names in jazz.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP8EiargMt4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAUcfCQ0tQg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GKvPNEkNdw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdZyx2uj1ls
pjw81563
1,829 posts
 
Sonny Clark played piano on one album of the great "Sweet Papa" Lou Donaldson titled "Lou Takes Off" and all 4 songs off the session showcase Sonny's comping skills. 

Lou Takes Off is a late 50's session and it swings hard. In the 60's Lou got more into the gospel/funk infused jazz.
Here are all 4 songs in order as they appear on the album

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fdk_KIZfmo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrVVJULuwU0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjyQ6SQj-iw
pjw81563
1,829 posts
 
BTW, I would not know the difference in a blind listening test between the Steinway, Fazioli, or Bossendorfer piano if each were played by the same competent pianist playing the same song on each piano but one of my favorite movies, the pianist, has one of the most emotionally moving piano solo’s IMHO, near the end of the movie (especially moving after watching the movie up to that point).

Its as if the pianist is spilling out all of his frustrations, fears, heartbreak and sorrow that was pent up inside of him after hiding like a tiny starving mouse in a massive ghetto crawling with cats for 3 long years.

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

Of course Adrian Brody is not the "real" pianist that the movie is based on who is Władysław Szpilman. Szpilman really did hide like a mouse (jews) from the cats (Nazis) and survived.


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