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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
 
With a title like:
'The Kingdom Of Swing & The Republic of OOP BOP SH'BAM'

I was expecting something on the order of Sun Ra meets Gleen Miller! Turned out to be a very nice straight ahead session from the 92nd street Y in NYC. Another production by Dick Hyman.

Live recording. The audience seemed to be into it. Nice solos on several of the tracks. Good bass playing by Milt Hinton on 'Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho' Joe Wilder is on board on trumpet. One of my favorites.

An alternate title might have been 'Professionals at Work'. Another day at the office. Very good, but nothing spectacular. But then again this is essentially a pickup band. They don't play together as a rule. Sort of like the USA Basketball team.

Cheers
frogman
7,507 posts
 
Enjoyed the Chico Hamilton cuts, thanks.

One of my favorite Stan Getz recordings, this is surely one of, if not THE, most interesting of Stan Getz's records; and described by him as his favorite. I don't know how anyone can doubt Getz's genius after listening to this. Eddie Sauter wrote the orchestrations and left Getz only to improvise over the spaces in the pre-composed score. He is on fire. Roy Haynes on drums is equally brilliant. Rok, I think you should leave the room for a few minutes :-)

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g2LD67xZgco
frogman
7,507 posts
 
Now for something really special. Not available on record, but what a document this is! Two masters representing the epitome of the two very different styles that we have been discussing; playing side by side. Different, and equally brilliant; IMO. Rok, you can come back now :-)

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aCdeJwGs818
frogman
7,507 posts
 
Correction: "Flight" is orchestrated by Michel Legrand, not Eddie Sauter, who orchestrated another of Getz's great records with orchestra; "Focus".
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Today's Gem:

Cannonball Adderley Sextet -- Lugano 1963

Nat adderley, yusef lateef, joe zawinul, sam jones, louis hayes

Cannoball's best group playing at their best, well recorded, before a live European audience! It don't get no better than this.

I have never heard a cannonball group play this, in your face, before. This is sort of like cannonball's magical moment that mingus had at antibes.

O-10 thinks 'something else' is cannonball's best and one of the best Jazz recordings ever. hmmmmmmmmmm. better check this one out.

Great soloing throughout the entire program. Good live ambience.

Just before they launch into 'trouble in mind', julian talks about the lack of the blues in 'modern' jazz. (Which is what really seperates the men from the boys!)

yusef and jones then proceed to tear the house down on 'trouble in mind'. yusef on oboe. he played flute, tenor sax and oboe during the set.

yusef (flute) and nat are also awesome on 'jive samba'

'Dizzy's business' and 'work song' also appear.

as julian is so fond of saying, "check it out"

Cheers

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