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
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
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

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.
****"Rok, how do you like Marakesh?"****

I ordered my one-way tickets today!!! See you there!! I wonder if I will be able to find a socket to plug my stereo into?

Speaking of Marrakech:

Randy Weston -- Marrakech: In The Cool of The Evening
Weston plays solo piano.

Nice playing, mostly his own tunes. Nothing reached out and grabbed me. The 'Fats' Waller and Billy Strayhorn tunes were the best. An entire CD of solo piano is a LOT. Esp if the player is NOT Oscar Peterson!!

There are some nice photos and a very interesting cover photo of 'downtown' Marrakech. :) Even a shot of guys wearing Fezzes. I always thought that was outdated hollywood stuff. I must admit I got this one years ago based on the title. It's not what I expected.

Nothing african, middle Eastern or exotic on this one. At least not to my ear. You more ''in depth' guys might hear differently. I have a lot of his stuff, mostly with Melba Liston. This CD is not among his best. IMO! Whew, amost forgot to add that. :)

Reminds me of the first LP I ever purchased. Got it from the RCA record club. 'Victory at Sea'. I ordered it because of the battle scene on the cover. I wonder even today about exactly what did I expect to hear. But now i realize it's great music, but not then. I expected action!! :)

Cheers