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

My burden is great.

 

Drummers and Bass players could be considered the most important people in a Jazz band.  Their role is crucial to the performance.  They are not expected to solo.  That is not their role.

Think of all the greats, Mingus, Ray Brown, McBride, Ron Carter, Blakey, Jo Jones,  Higgins  etc....

How often are they leaders?  Even when their name is on top of the album jacket, the reviewers talk mostly about the piano and horn players.

Blakey known for bringing along young players, Mingus for his composing, the others for who they play with.  The are support players.

No one buys Mingus albums to hear him play Bass.  No one buys Messenger albums to hear Art play drums.   They wanna hear his latest horn player, or the Messengers as a whole.

Exceptions to this are the 'Showman' drummers.  Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa are examples.  But what they play is not Jazz, is it.

 

Cheers   
 

 

 

@christianb5s4

<<Currently listening to the album Balanced by Jan Harbeck Quartet.>>

You mentioned Balanced and I’ve never heard it before, so I found the album in HR and started playing it, but I couldn’t get past the third track, (Silver String Valley), the sax sounded like a crunchy brown paper bag! Is it just my system? It’s about 6:30 pm here and sometimes my power is horrible, so that’s why I’m asking.

Jim

Scott La Faro playing on album of Victor Feldman from 1958. I think that here you can hear his 'way' of playing as well (not only with Evans)

Acaman, I use cd player (usually the best I can get my hands on, now a Burmester 089) Pc audio or streaming is not for me and the proper vinyl rig, along with all the albums that I have, would cost me a fortune..but I agree about the sound ...