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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
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
O-10: I mentioned Carmen several threads ago. I have 5 or 6 of her CDs. One with duets with Betty Carter. Great voice. What are her somecomings? Not a thing!! Except having the same profession as Ella, Billie and Sarah. :( I have a CD of her's entitled 'Carmen Sings Monk'. Most folks can't even play Monk (including his band) and she SINGS him. She is great on the Monk CD. Top 5 for that alone. :) All the divas are just treasures. I love them all.

Dtc: I have most of what you listed. All must haves. I have a few of Kid Ory waiting in the Amazon 'save for later' file. I was concerned about the sound quality, But I'll take your word for it. Not having Ory, is almost like not having Armstrong! Charlie Parker played a borrowed plastic sax on the Massey Hall CD. hahahahaha

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Just as I was about to anoint Lee Morgan King of Jazz trumpet, I put 'Sketches of Spain' by Miles Davis in the player. Order is now restored. I sat there mesmerized. One of Miles' Best ever.

Mingus at Antibes
I almost called 911. These guys are on fire. I don't think even they could do it again. The perfect storm. Now, this is improvised music at the highest level.
They were really out there, BUT they always had both feet firmly planted in the delta. One foot in a Juke Joint, and the other in a Baptist church! That's the difference between this improvising and this modern free Jazz stuff. The current stuff sounds sterile in comparison. Ain't got it? Git It!

Cheers
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
Rok2id - Glad you concur on these selections. Not all main stream, but great jazz.

I only have Kid Ory on vinyl, so cannot speak to the CDs. But, try 1 or 2 just to see the style. I doubt any of them are up to current recording quality standards but it is worth it anyway. Great, old style jazz. Incidentally, one thing I like about Sonny Rollins Without a Song was the trombone, which was played by his nephew. It was recorded the weekend after 9/11 in Boston. The recording was done from the audience so is not great, but still pretty good.

I played the sax but never came close to these guys, even when they were playing a plastic sax :) As the PGA logo goes, these guys are good.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,602 posts
 
1959 was a banner year for Jazz;
Miles Davis -Kind of Blue
Dave Brubeck -Time Out
Charles Mingus -Ah Um.

if only Coltrane could have released 'Giant Steps' (1960)
during 1959...
tostadosunidos's avatar
tostadosunidos
1,197 posts
 
+1 on Monk/Coltrane at Carnegie Hall--and can you believe how good it sounds!? Nice live recording from the 50's.
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