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
I think our OP has been smitten by the Baroness! :) Screw Eastwwod, she was a beauty by the standards of the European elite.

Cheers
Today's Listen:

Louis Armstrong & Oscar peterson -- LOUIS ARMSTRONG MEETS OSCAR PETERSON

Pops mostly sings here. Very little trumpet playing. Oscar and his trio give awesome support. Great line up of tunes. Louis is in fine voice.

Still, something is just not right here. Maybe it's because it's a studio recording. Maybe the Trio is not the best backing for Louis.

I am used to him carrying on, and interacting with the other performers. A lot of trash talking / flirting with a female vocalist. Also, no trombone!!

Both Louis and the Trio were great. The overall effect was just not what you would expect, given the performers. Perfunctory?

Maybe live, with Basie or Ellington would have been a better match. Of course he and Ella would have been the dream team!!

But, Louis and Oscar can never be bad. Just not as great as they usually are. This is like Louis in NYC, when we want him in Nawlins!! :)

Cheers

Smitten is putting it mildly; she's my dream jazz date, I can just picture us on the set, "Sssh, just listen to the music Orpheus".

Here are two of "Satchmo's" three wishes; "That I go back to the world and see the fans, and play for them again"..... "That I live a hundred years, so I can enjoy what the next generation's doing, same as I do this one".

His wishes were so prophetic that you would think I made them up if you didn't have the book.

Enjoy the music.
Great tune, Nica's Dream; aka Orpheus' W..... nah, I better not ;-). Thanks for sharing.

Came across this when listening to Nica's Dream. Check out Blue Mitchell's solo; holy cow! If you want to get geeky, check out 1:26. He plays this little motif, repeats it transposed to fit the changing harmony and then the magic happens at 1:29 with the most unexpected, strange but perfect note choice. These guys were brilliant.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=73pex5SGd0Y

BTW, there were no takers, but the trumpet player on the "Bebop" clip was Jon Faddis; from his tribute to Dizzy album.
Frogman, the high notes should have been a giveaway on Faddis.

The Blue Mitchell cut reminded me of this trumpet player….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rMj463qkyg