Jazz for aficionados

Gene Harris is my most under appreciated pianist. Since I don't have a good explanation for this, I wont even try; however, I will explain how and why I discovered this.

My friend Rok, recommended some bargain CD's by The Three Sounds, and that's when I discovered how important a pianist Gene Harris is. It's not what he says, but the way that he says it. Each time he strikes a piano key, the way he does it is saying something.

I didn't discover this until I acquired "The Three Sounds" stripped of "nuance". This is such an important word to an audiophile, that I'm going to give you the definition. Nuance: A subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning, feeling, or tone; a gradation. A shade or graduation difference in colour, also as in carefully nuanced words.

The very same word can have a multitude of meanings, depending on how it's spoken. "Nuance", in my opinion, is the most important word in the English language to an audiophile.

Enjoy the music.

Rok, on my original post I stated, " 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."

The reason I didn't mention that CD is because I felt it was lacking in "nuance". This CD contains some of the very best jazz in my collection. Since we disagreed on The Three sounds, there is a good possibility we'll disagree on this one as well, and that's why I'm going to reveal this CD.

Atlantic Jazz 7 81951-2, Ray Charles & Milt Jackson; Soul Brothers/Soul Meeting, is a 2 disc CD that is as good as it gets. Brother Ray even blows a mean sax. While the music is 5 star jazz, the sonics on this CD are inferior to the LP, which is why I didn't review it. Now I realize that for people who never heard the LP, that might not matter. I give you my favorite tune on the album "Blue Funk"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHold6ylvEM

Enjoy the music.

Maybe I should join "EAA", that stands for "Extreme Audiophiles Anonymous". After putting such people down, I've discovered that "Maybe I are one"?

This is a "jazz" music forum, and the music Rok recommended is some fantastic jazz.

Enjoy the music.

Speaking of 'Nuance', may I recommend the following:

Jimmy Scott (vocals) -- All The Way
Probaly unknown to most on this forum, but he this man is an awesome talent. If you like singing at the highest level try to find a way to listen to this cd. Try to YouTube him if you can. I think The Frogman will love his style.

His voice is almost feminine. I have had this CD for years. Listened to it last night. Great late night singing esp with that special someone. His personal story is a sad one.

Ella Fitzgerald -- For the Love of Ella Fitzgerald

Two Cd set. A tale of two CDs. CD #1 swings the other one is mostly Ballards. I like the swing stuff best. Of course there is no sense trying to describe Ella's performances anymore. Hell, it's Ella. That's all you need to know.

She is backed on one song or another by almost everyone in Jazz. From The Duke, Basie, Louis, Oscar to Nelson Riddle. Her performance of 'Rockin' in Rhythm' with Duke's band is awesome! She scats thru the whole thing. Duke and Band are out of their heads. The brass section in particular. They get 'up there' and stay up there for a while. With Clark Terry , Ray Nance and Cat Anderson on trumpets, what can you expect! Man, I love this stuff!

The ballards are just run of the mill awesome! The woman does anything so effortless!

And please, no comments about flat pianos! :)

BTW, O-10, I received my copy of 'Trio Tres Bien' today. I will report later. I noticed they used the term 'Jazz Aficionado' in the liner notes. You didn't write them did you :)

Cheers

Give Jimmy Scott a listen. And Ella also. I looked on youtube, I saw her doing rockin in rhythm, but not with the Duke.

Cheers

"Maybe I should join "EAA", that stands for "Extreme Audiophiles Anonymous". After putting such people down, I've discovered that "Maybe I are one"?"

Maybe you is!