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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
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
I was a Toots fan since Midnight Cowboy
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Music Lovers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWIGu6-r67Y

Not Jazz, but a great song by a great singer, that some how evaded my sensory net until now.

Listen from the beginning and pat attention to the piano at 2:18 - 2:19. I always smile and say YES!!!!!.

It's little things like this that make music so wonderful to me. The small nuances.

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Today's Listen:

Billy Bang (violin) -- A Tribute To Stuff Smith
with / Sun Ra (piano), John Ore (bass), Andrew Cyrille (drums)

Stuff Smith was one of the premier Jazz Violinist. Died in 1967.

As the title says, this a tribute to him from Billy Bang. All the tunes are standards, which is unusal considering the lineup. Most of these guys played with Sun Ra before or after this recording date.

Bang plays well throughout. In fact he dominates all the tunes. I had to listen twice to concentrate on Sun Ra's contribution. It's there, just not up front. He may have already been in countdown for launch to Alpha Centauri!

These guys are known as Free or avant garde Jazz players, but during this session they acted right. Everything from Jerome Kern to Duke Ellington.

I am not sure the players were a good match. I think Bang would have been better served with more conventional boppers in the rhythm section. But, it is an enjoyable disc. Check it out.

Recommended, if you like Violin in your Jazz.

For some reason they (jazz violinist), all remind me of Stephane Grappelli and Sweet Georgia Brown, Which in turn reminds me of the Globetrotters, Which is not the worst thing a person can be reminded of!

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

True story: I was in a funereal limousine In Miles Davis's home town, and someone tried to lighten the grim journey by starting a conversation about Miles music. The chatter was going back and forth, when the grieved widow chimed in "I remember Miles, he was that little dark skinned kid who was always trying to blow the trumpet." After that, there was total silence for the rest of the journey.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, Emily Remler and Barbara Dennerlein "Stormy Weather Blues" was boss, they're on my list. The best thing about new jazz is that it can be recorded so much better.

Enjoy the music.
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