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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:

****How about the real deal?******
*** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDHpkYI5_FY ***

When this record was released, it created quite a stir in the state of Mississippi.

First of all, people assumed she threw a baby off the bridge. This was back in a time when there was such a thing as shame.

Secondly, and most importantly, for a spell, people did not know if she was black or white. So they didn't know whether they could show that they liked the song or not. In public that is.

Lest you think this is silly, when I worked in the movie theater, the Rock & Roll movie 'Rock Around the Clock', was shown at a special showing at midnight on a saturday night, "Adults Only"!!!! I was the only young person in town that got to see it. hahahhahahah

I think back and can't believe it.

It is a great song. Mississippi has always punched above it's weight when it comes to musicians and writers.

Cheers
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
In Clint Eastwood's movie Bird, Charley Parker hated Bird with Strings as not being true to his playing!

Charley Parker had many better recordings than strings!
frogman
7,441 posts
 
****Charley Parker had many better recordings than strings!****

True; no one is arguing that point. Still, great to hear Bird in that setting.

This brings up an issue that has always been interesting to me. Obviously, a listener's personal taste has to be respected, but when a great artist says, unequivocally, that he/she likes a particular work of theirs (Bird said BWS was his favorite) or a particular sideman, IMO the most productive attitude is that even if we don't agree at first (or ever!), an attempt should be made to understand why it is that the artist himself that we so admire feels that way. Seems to me that is the best way to fully understand the artist or a particular work and grow as a listener. In this case Bird was saying: "Look, I can be more than just the relentless bebopper that I am known to be; I can play with more delicacy than what most of my records demonstrate". Who am I to argue with that.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, the very first time I heard "Ode To Billy Joe", I was crossing a bridge going into Hattiesburg, MS, in my brand new "deuce and a quarter", and I wrongly assumed it was the "Talahatchie Bridge" in Chickasaw county. That song also spoke of towns I had just passed through coming from St. Louis, consequently, I identified with it immediately; it was an instant hit with me.

I never stopped liking the song, and I have the CD. Bobby Gentry is one of the most authentic singer songwriters to come along. Her songs brought Mississippi to life, although they left out the ugliest aspects of that culture, which was most certainly best.

After I entered the state, I had the feeling I was in "The Twilight Zone", and had gone back in time without knowing it. Everything looked the same as it had in some long ago past; filling stations, farm houses, country stores, you name it.

Enjoy the music.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Todays's Dose:

Carmen McRae & Betty Carter -- THE CARMEN MCRAE - BETTY CARTER DUETS

Recorded before a live audience in San Franciso. Very enjoyable set. A lot of 'carryin' on' between Carmen and Betty. The audience loves it.

9 tracks. All very good. My favorites were the Ellington tunes 'Sophisticated Lady' and It don't mean a Thing'. Also, 'But Beautiful' and 'Sometimes I'm Happy. Great scatting duel on the latter.

Great recording. DDD. No tape hiss!! Thank the Lord for Digital.

Everyone had a good time on this one, and it showed. Wish I had been there.

Try it. I guarantee you will love it..

Cheers
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