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
Interesting comments, mahgister. I share your feelings about these two masters. Shorter in particular is a favorite. He is also one of the greatest and most interesting Jazz composers. A true genius. One of the most interesting things about Shorter is how much his playing changed over the course of his career. Not necessarily in overall concept, but in how his playing became more and more economical; as if he found ways to say what he had to say with fewer and fewer notes. One of the most expressive of saxophone players, he could express so much emotion with one or two notes. 

https://youtu.be/CYg_3pQN-LU

https://youtu.be/ydsqGRYqW88

I don’t feel there is a “greatest” among the very top trumpet players. Morgan was certainly one of the greatest.

**** And Morgan for me own something very light and heartful from Armstrong and something which is the brain of Miles Davis.... ****

Exactly! Great comment. The “light and heartful” is what I hear as the infectious swagger in his playing.

https://youtu.be/uHd0qP4UKX4

https://youtu.be/eRA8EOR7Nm0
Not necessarily in overall concept, but in how his playing became more and more economical; as if he found ways to say what he had to say with fewer and fewer notes. One of the most expressive of saxophone players, he could express so much emotion with one or two notes.
It was my impression but having not your knowledge and experience, i miss the "word" economical... Thanks...Minimalistic but powerful expression yes.... Controlled in a mysterious way....

It is the first time in my life that a sax player induce in me the same love some trumpeter do...( i am excessive in my love or dislike or neutral gesture yes )

This 6 albums series is now one of my favorite one....

Jazz Giants....

Thanks for the recommendations.....I will swiftly look for them....

I listen the 2 short Wayne Shorter clip.... This guy play sax like i ,at the end, love the instrument at the level of my appetite for trumpet playing...I was ready to discover it....Timing is important in life....
I am in paradise....

I am passionate yes, but only hyperbole can convey my surprise listening their playings... And my surprize that jazz can hide jewels and gems like these...

Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter are a "musical deal squad" made in heaven for sure....Like Coltrane and Davis in "Kind of blue"....But these two ressemble more each other for me and they integrate deeply their playings in one another, not one beside the other at all...It is not criticism of the 2 other geniuses only my way to describe my impression of their playings...I am not a musician tough feel free to correct me....

Lee Morgan is stupendous in his easiness and fluidity always meaningful chords....He play to surprise us with some chords inscribed in the "great musical book" already there and now here forever... He is so great that no showmanship is needed....





« Do you think that a blind who just see the light could be outrageous with too much hyperbole?»-Groucho Marx 🤓

«No,but Groucho you fall of your chair each day... »- Harpo Marx

« I quit my chair each week my dear, dont exagerate with hyperbole....»- Groucho Marx 🤓
The “light and heartful” is what I hear as the infectious swagger in his playing.
Yes and to be honest it is after reading your comment that this comes back to my mind, and searching for a comparison the particular exhuberant effortless way Morgan play remind me of Armstrong in the screaming high notes...Screaming is not a critic here in my mouth at all only a metaphor to convey my  subjective impression...

His inventiveness remind me of Miles Davis...



frogman that 1959 complete set 1 from Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers in Paris is a gem. Thanks for sharing.

Morgan was 21 and Shorter 26. I count myself lucky to have seen Wayne Shorter live for his 80th birthday anniversary tour at NYC Town Hall.

I have about 15 each of Morgan and Shorter as leaders and everything from their stints, live and studio, with Blakey as I am a "Art Blakey completist"

You and Mahgister have expressed all that I hear when listening to those two great musicians and so I only want to say if you can get a chance to watch this video please do so. I highly recommend it.

Watch I Called Him Morgan | Prime Video (amazon.com)