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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
stuartk
2,829 posts
 
Any love here for George Coleman?  

He preceded W. Shorter in M. Davs' "Second Great Quintet" and can be heard on the following :

"My Funny Valentine"
"Four and More"
"Live at Antibes"
"Live at the 1963 Monterey Jazz Festival"

Of course, he played on "Maiden Voyage".

 A particularly strong showcase for his playing is the first release by Cedar Walton's Eastern Rebellion Group.

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


stuartk
2,829 posts
 
Clifford Jordan and Booker Ervin are two other great tenor players...

Booker Ervin is perhaps best known for the "Book" series-- particularly "The Space Book" and "The Freedom Book", with Jacki Byard, Alan Dawson and Richard Davis. I'm not a big fan of Byard's piano playing and so, prefer the following; 

"That's It" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdFcGPr61OM&list=OLAK5uy_kFjQVJBscTDjTjBo3SnCO1Z9yJeOsxhG8

Two excellent Blue Notes: 

"Structurally Sound":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubhw_DB1Wog&list=OLAK5uy_n34RacdIO2Ixy351nVydncPmST4Fk6NlE

"Tex Book Tenor":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3qtMT0xyys&list=OLAK5uy_koBj97vJI2Legl-0WBPogbQqmRIRaoSZc

And Ervin with Mingus: "Mingus Ah Um" and "Blues and Roots". 
  
Clifford Jordan's early OJC recording "Spellbound" is a good one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NPLfzOhiY4&list=RD6NPLfzOhiY4&start_radio=1

And "Glass Bead Games"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp58woJOgbI

inna
7,296 posts
 
I think 'Bitches Brew' is the best jazz album ever.
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,064 posts
 
It seems i am not tired ever of Grant Green 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq3YvtPHq9A
stuartk
2,829 posts
 

mahgister:

  "It seems I am not tired ever of Grant Green".

There's something very bracing/refreshing about Green's relatively cool tone. Kenny Burrell is great but he and most other Jazz guitarists of that era utilized such a bass-heavy tone. To me, that somewhat dull, thick sound becomes monotonous rather quickly but I don't find that's true with Green-- there's a vibrant, singing quality to every note that I find very appealing. 

Of course, Green (for much of his Blue Note work, at least) played an ES330 -- which is a considerable thinner-bodied instrument than the bigger Jazz boxes commonly used by Burrell, Montgomery, J. Smith, Ellis, etc., so that's also a factor. 

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