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
Ellington  / Harrell

Ellington has the stature, track record, and reputation to play anything, and it will be taken serious.  Examined in detail.  Discussed endlessly.  Will become part of the Jazz Lexicon.

No so for Harrell.  Excellent Trumpet player / composer.  But,  Ellington is in an altogether different category.  I have 'Nutcracker' by Ellington, simply  because it was by Ellington.  Otherwise,  Peter Ilyich, will do just fine.

Cheers


Ute Lemper:

Be careful when you criticize  German performers.   You say something wrong,  next thing you know, they will need 'living space' where you live. :)

It was bad.   And Pops is the antidote to all bad music.  

"did our boy do something rash"     Only Pops can sing that!! :)

Cheers
***** Sorta contradicts first comment, no?*****

Not at all.  The New Orleans thing just gives me hope for the future.  Young players coming from New Orleans, are different from the young elsewhere in the Jazz world.   Hard to escape the roots down there.  The music is everywhere.  They will be influenced.

It is my thought, not a fact, that you could start out as a Jazz player in the North East, without any influence of,  or any thought ever given to New Orleans.  I hope I am wrong.

Cheers
Woods, my universe:

He just seems to have developed and matured in a parallel / separate Jazz universe from the one in which I lived.   This is surely not a criticism.   That would be absurd.  

But, reading the piece, I only recognized  one name in his story, Quincy Jones.   Jones is the consummate musician.   At home in any genre, but he never one of my favorite Jazz players.  I think I have one CD by him.   Had more LPs, in the 'Killer Joe' vein.

He spent some time in Europe and formed a group called "The European Rhythm Machine.   The odds of me buying or listening to a CD by a group called European Rhythm Machine, approached zero.

This statement sums up why he never got my attention, this is after he went to Europe.
"I sounded like I was let out of jail.  The Europeans were much more aware of development in music than American musicians at that point.(1969).  You were expected to be an artist and to experiment".

Now,  think of who was alive and playing in 1969.   Going to Europe to improve in Jazz, is like a Kid from Brazil or Germany,  coming to the U.S. to learn Soccer.

My only point is this, he never played with the players I bought and followed.  Even when he did, it was as a sideman, and at that stage in my music appreciation, I only paid attention to the leaders.   And, that European experimental stuff, well, it is what it is.

But, he is one of the few guys that made me look at the notes to see who was playing, as I listened to the CD.  He was very, very good.  And from all I have read, a very nice human being.

Cheers
Phil Woods was an icon for saxophone players; the consummate player.  This is the third time I have posted this and don't know if anyone has watched it.  A great peek into his life, the jazz life, his personality and some very interesting and funny accounts about everything from the business of jazz to being married to Chan, Bird's widow; priceless stuff:

[URL]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6SJxmCzYpoo[/URL]