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
Questions to Aficianados: What do you make of all this. From the "Masterpiece" to the "incapacitated" Bird?

From the ’BIRD’ book:

Charlie Parker with Strings: The Master Takes (verve, 1947-52)
"Still controversial, still growing in critical statue, still among his best-loved recordings. The arrangements by Joe Lipman and Jimmy Carroll are problematic, but the Bird flights are often gratifying and "Just Friends" is a Masterpiece."

Just Friends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmRkZeGFONg


Miles Davis: Collector’s Items (Prestige, 1953)
"Bird, near the end, pickled in vodka, returned to the tenor saxophone for Davis’s launch session at Prestige, also involving Sonny Rollins; they barely got through three tunes."

The Serpent’s Tooth (take 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M0s29RhR5E
solo order, Miles, Sonny then Bird.

Compulsion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsb-O7dhTRI
Miles, Bird then Sonny

’Round about Midnight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8neYV9uIkg
The notes attribute sections to Bird that were actually played by Rollins, according to Hentoff.

The second session was recorded in 1956, by which time Bird was dead.
"The 1956 date is as mellow and relaxed as the 1953 session was tense and neurotic." -- Nat Hentoff

Apparently no one thought the 1953 session went well. Was the only time Rollins and Bird recorded together. Btw, Bird bought his tenor sax the same day of the session, and this was the first time he played it. There is always some silly stuff with him.

Cheers





I rarely speak about audio components on this thread because of course it's a music thread, and not one for components, but I'm making an exception because here is something that will benefit anyone who is not aware of the fantastic improvement it makes.

Significant improvements in audio were very expensive before "digital", costing from 1 to 2K for a decent improvement. Digital has changed that; I got a significant improvement for $300, which is unheard of for me.

No audiophile knowledge required, you simply connect this thing to the digital out of your computer, and RCA to audio, nothing else. DAC's are nothing new, but what is new is the quality at this price point.

There are many new good one's in this price range, so you choose which one is for you.
O10

I bought this DAC 4 years ago. Still works awesome with my Senheiser 650 headphones using laptop windows media player. Read the reviews.

ARC Mk1 - Mayflower Electronics

Pjw, that's what I'm talking about, it got a fantastic review, which means it makes these links sound ever so much better.