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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
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Totally agree with Orpheus and Frogman's comments on Ella. Simply the best jazz vocalist for me, hands down. Knows exactly when to scat and when not to, and does it with the technique of an instrumentalist.

Speaking of singers with the technique of instrumentalists, if some of you jazz fans are curious about checking out some opera singers, try Marilyn Horne. Stunning technique, and an incredible range, and a wonderful voice, though for some of you her vibrato might take some getting used to. A great intro, which also happens to be an incredible recording as far as quality goes as well, is the recording she did of Carmen at the Met with Leonard Bernstein in the 70s on the Deutsche Gramophone label. It's a great intro to opera, and you will recognize a few of the tunes. For some sheer vocal pyrotechnics, check out some of her recordings of Rossini and Handel arias.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Today's Listen

Ahmed Abdul-Malik -- Jazz Sounds of Africa
Abdul-malik (bass - Oud), Calo Scott (cello), Andrew Cyrille (drums) and others

Now this is a fine example (maybe the only one) of 'World Jazz'. This is high quality playing that leaves you wondering if you are in Nairobi, Rio or Havana. We hear smidgens of Calypso, Mambo and Samba. No 'traditional' peasant's banging and chanting here. This is Jazz, the real deal. With a world flavoe.

No filler, all good well thoughtout tunes. The cello is a surprise. It sounds much more 'suited' for Jazz than does the violin. Several African and Asian intruments are used, and they blend in with the music perfectly.

The liner notes are great also. I will copy a snippet and send in a moment. It addresses a topic of discussion we had on this forum some time ago.

Good sound. Recorded in 1961-62.
Looking for new music? Give this a listen.

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
This is the passage from the Abdul-Malik CD's liner notes.

"The public acceptance of a new Jazz musician is generally a difficult thing to attain. Many players after years of hard work find themselves forced to take jobs outside of the music world to feed themselves and their families.

Others bastardize their art and play types of music that usually have nothing whatsoever to do with Jazz.

Unfortunately, in the Jazz world, a man's ability to play, his skill, or his musical ideas do not govern his success , or his failure.

This can be shown in many cases where inferior musical talents have made fortunes while outstanding players have starved."

He goes on to say that Ahmed has found it extremely difficult to find work playing the music he wants to play and the way he wants to play it.

I guess he wasn't listening. He died in 1993.

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
If you are going to listen to 'Carmen,' then there are many good performances. I prefer Callas.

If you are going to WATCH Carmen, then the only choice is Julia Migenes Johnson, Placido Domingo, Orch National De France / Maazel.

Julia Migenes Johnson, has the 'assets' to do 'Carmen' justice. She also has a great voice.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Ahmed Abdul-Malik, Jazz Sounds of Africa. This sounds brand new, and it could be classified as "World Music", it reminds me of Marrakech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_deuBC1enSI

Enjoy the music.
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