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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
 
O-10:
I thought you might like to hear 'Summertime' for real. I found myself wiping my brow from the heat!! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIDOEsQL7lA

Other listens today:
Horace Silver -- SONG FOR MY FATHER
Horace Silver -- BLOWIN' THE BLUES AWAY

We are all very familiar with them. I was neither asleep nor fully awake. WOW!! I love to be in that place when listening to great music.

Clark Terry -- COLOR CHANGES
featuring Yusef Lateef on tenor, flute, english horn and oboe!!
There is also a guy on French Horn and trombone. What a line-up.

7 tunes. 'Nahstye Blues' is my favorite. All are very good.

I do not believe this man, Clark Terry, has ever done anything less than a stellar recorded performance. Try ANYTHING by Clark Terry, you cannot go wrong!

Recorded NYC 1960

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Why does a lot of Horace Silver's music have an 'Eastern" tinge to it. Or am I 'hearing' something that is not there.

Cheers
frogman
7,478 posts
 
I am with Orpheus re "Bird With Strings". I love the record. It was possibly the first recording of a major jazz star with a string section. At one point, Bird considered it his favorite recording. Kinda hard to argue with that, when it comes to judging its worth. The recording shows Bird playing with a warmer, less aggressive tone in deference to the musical setting. As Rok points out Mitch Miller appears on the record, and I have an interesting (for me) story about that. Back in the mid 90's I played a classical/pops concert with Mitch Miller conducting the orchestra, and of course used the opportunity to ask him about the Bird WS recording. He had many stories to tell, and of special note was the fact that the addition of the oboe to the arrangements was a last minute decision made right in the recording studio and the oboe parts were entirely improvised by him; pretty impressive for a "legit" dude.

Rok, re Horace Silver and the "Eastern tinge". No, you are not hearing things; you are exactly right. Here is an interesting article that speaks to the general subject:

http://sessionville.com/articles/the-influence-of-indian-music-on-jazz
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
et tu, Frogman? :)

I listened again and I will agree it's beautiful music. And great sax playing. Must have been the reason I purchased it. I just think there are many(several?) competent professional reedmen, like the Frogman perhaps, who could have played Bird's part.

It's a great CD, just not what I expected. I will say, that from a technical standpoint, it's the best recorded music I have of Bird. It's just not on my 'goto' list when I want to hear Jazz.

And lastly, my mama didn't raise no fools. When I am opposed by The Frogman, a pro, and O-10, a man who has seen Trane himself, it's time to throw in the towel. :)

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
****The recording shows Bird playing with a warmer, less aggressive tone in deference to the musical setting*****

Exactly. Now the question becomes, how much aggression can you take away, and how much can he defer, and still be Bird?

I guess that was what I was trying to say. I knew that if I read your post enough times, you would state my point better than I could.

Cheers
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