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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
 
Better sound and video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG6KH905cGU

Cheers
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,248 posts
 
"Blood Count" was a featured piece for Stan Getz for decades. As much as I love Johnny Hodges, it's Getz who embodies the song. There are numerous YouTubes and recorded version. Here's some interesting commentary about Getz and the song.

On a different topic, check out the story and video of Sarah Vaughan.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Hank Crawford is a tenor sax man you can instantly recognize, that's because his sound is so uniquely different from all the other tenor sax men; they also like his unique and pleasing sound. The first time I heard him, thoughts of Ray Charles came to mind, and I didn't know why; he was Ray Charles musical director from 1959 until 1963.

"Angel Eyes" has been one of my favorite tunes for ages, but when I heard Hank's version, I realized this was the first time I'd heard Angel Eyes. It seems to have a deep melancholy sadness, and longing for the lost love of "Angel Eyes"; this song has come to life in the guise of a captivating women with angel eyes whose spell can not be broken, and it leaves all her lovers to long for the hypnotic gaze of her very special "angel eyes".

His versions of other standards have a uniqueness I can't quite define; consequently I'm left with a new word, "Crawfordesque", there is no other way to describe the sound he gives to standards.

I have here a package of my favorite tunes by Hank that I found on "you tube"

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dMcpgEt0AA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSHMRyY5Drk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0Cx8Tk4Miw

Enjoy the music.
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
As far as Jazz & tuba's go, IMO it begins and ends with the great Howard Johnson's band and debut recording; 'Gravity'. Piano, bass, & drums joined by 5-7 tubas. You'd be sorely mistaken by pegging this as a 'novelty' record. It's a beautiful, great Jazz record, you oughtta check it out!
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

"Blood Count" was as you described it. Johnny Hodges was "Mr. Alto Sax" before Bird. This music prompted me to go through the vaults; I found a treasure of Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Johnny Hodges and others, for my listening pleasure, that was quite rewarding.

This is music I heard as a child, when such things as who was making the music were irrelevant. Since I associate music with what I was doing when I heard it, childhood memories flashed across my mind like a slide show; in regard to the music, I only recall a joyous feeling and liking it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIkekMoEQY4&list=PL927020F299B15A86

Enjoy the music.
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