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

Frogman, you were absolutely correct in assuming we could skip over the usual suspects. That first LP led me to a gold mine. Curtis Counce, Shelly Manne, Andre Previn, Bud Shank, Jimmy Giuffre, are all proponents of the West Coast jazz that I'm seeking. I can track each one of them during that time, and add to my West Coast collection.

Charlie Parker's spell was cast too strong over jazz in the 50's, and there was entirely too much imitation; while those on the West Coast were just doing their thing. This music is for "being cool", laid back and just enjoy listening. Thank you much.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, as I stated on an earlier post, if I'm not "resonant" to the music being played, it sounds like noise. It's for sure I'm not resonant to that music, but this is joke isn't it.

Enjoy the music

In an earlier post I stated that Charlie Parker's spell was cast too strong over jazz in the 50's. While that was true, it was impossible not to come under the "Bird's" spell. He played jazz in so many different ways that they couldn't be classified. I'm going to give you one example of the "Bird", that you should have in your collection, and be thankful that it's available.

"Charlie Parker with Strings: The Master Takes", this music is so beautiful, that it doesn't matter what genre your musical preference falls in, you'll like this.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, the definition of "West Coast" jazz is very elusive. That's because the same musicians also played East Coast, as well as "No Coast" jazz. It's kind of like "bouillabaise", you have to try a spoonful. No description can be quite appropriate, and to further complicate the matter, it had a short life span. Fortunately, there's a lot on "You tube", and Amazon has it, which means it's still available. I'll post the best examples I can find so that everyone will be able to recognize "West Coast".

Frogman, since you're an aficionado of West Coast jazz, I would appreciate it if you posted your best examples of West Coast.

Enjoy the music.
Bill Parcells, the great NY Giants and Dallas Cowboys pro football coach, once said: You Are, What Your Record Says You Are. Same in Music. If no one has heard of you, there is a reason why.

Cheers