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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
 
Frogman:

Very good Pepper Adams. I get what you said about the bass playing. I though Gomez' intonation on the Brackeen CD was good also. That's why I liked it, just didn't know how to describe it.

Is it harder to play the sax in the lower range?

I had to lol at the last note of the Pepper tune! Now on to the others.

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Well, 'The Cooker' was certainly aptly named. They were really cooking! I love stuff that moves right along. I had forgotten that george Benson was a very good Jazz player at one time. Now I will have to inflict a Benson 'review' on you all.

The sax playing was very good also. You nailed it, a FUN disc.!!

Cheers
frogman
7,472 posts
 
Agree about Gomez; also very good in that respect. I meant to mention that in my post re the a Brackeen cut. Actually, it is generally harder to play the saxophones in the extreme upper range. Many modern players today consider it a testament to their ability on the instrument to play in the upper range; so they go there way too often IMO, at the expense of tastefulness. You will hear a lot of modern jazz players, and especially pop-jazz (aargh!) players play in the "altissimo" register. I think Pepper exploited the bottom of the horn as a statement about "tradition" and resistance to gimmicks; IMO.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Gary Smulyan, now this is the most exciting of all to me, because you say he is of the younger generation. Hell, this could have been Person / McDuff!! I liked it very much. Not the most complex / involving music, but I had no idea anyone was still playing in this vein. Maybe I will finally get to buy music by people still recording and still alive!!

I liked the play on words 'Smul's Paradise' cute.

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Hamiett Bluiett -- What does one say? I have several WSQ CDs and he is part of that group.

On the tune you sent, It was not too bad, because I knew it was 'a night in tunisia'. While he was playing his thing, I had the melody going on in my head. Like he was soloing over my tthoughts. That made it all a little easier to follow. His skill on the horn is not in question!

I know I bash these free Jazz folks alot, but at least they are in the arena doing something. They deserve credit for that. Hard to understand music, is better than nothing to understand.

Cheers

Thanks for the posts.
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