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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
 
'Delilah' was a nice tune. All the folks on Amazon were impressed as well. Here is an interesting excerpt from the Amazon Site Reviewer:

Amazon.com
"Many a young musician has been sabotaged by his own considerable abilities. So caught up are they in technical execution that they give elements such as emotion and taste short shrift. Trumpeter Clifford Brown was a musical dynamo, a man who was capable of playing many instruments well and who possessed supreme natural instincts and boundless energy. Brown painstakingly practiced and perfected his technique, but when practice time gave way to playing time--there was no other time for him--Brown's command was so deeply ingrained that he was free to concentrate on those other elements: emotion and taste."...............

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Puts a smile on my face!! :)

I ordered it today. Seems like one I should have. Thanks for the tip / clip.

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Max Roach was no doubt the best dresser, not only in this book, but throughout his entire career. He was on top of the world until Clifford Brown was killed in that accident, in 55. For a while after that, he just couldn't get it together. The love between compatible musicians is incomprehensible. I almost got in a fight with a well known professional jazz musician I will not name, simply because he asked me questions about a another jazz musician that he had made records with and loved, and I told him the truth. (this was personal, nothing to do with music) He got mad and began an argument in front of a night club, telling me that couldn't be true. Naturally the bouncer and the club owner, who didn't have a clue as to what this was about, assumed I was in the wrong.

Much later I understood what I had told him was something he didn't want to believe, but he knew it was true, he just took his frustrations out on me.

The reason I tell you this is because we will never understand that love between musicians; but it took Roach a long time to get it together after that, can you find a date for his answer to that question.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Stereophile magazine interviewed Max in his apartment overlooking Central Park, not long before he died which was in 07, and I recall him mentioning the chair in his living room was one Bird had sat in. Naturally he had a decent rig, but it wasn't "Audiophile". Like I stated before, none of the jazz or blues musicians I've known had audiophile rigs; not that I've known a lot, but think about it, these musicians were always on a live set, why would they have a finicky audiophile system.

John Lee Hooker said he liked a "funky sound", and something easy to work. He wanted to hear music when he pushed the "on button", that's why he had the same kind of "Adcom" in all of his houses.

Since These musicians were interviewed by Stereophile you can look them up, but Branford Marsalis is the only famous jazz musician I can recall with an Audiophile rig, and his wasn't anywhere near the rigs these people have here. What does that say about audiophile rigs, and professional jazz musicians?

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, you can enjoy and appreciate the musicians in our book if you just stick with one group for awhile. Right now I'm into Roach and Brown primarily for "Richie Powell", who was Bud Powell's younger brother. He didn't live long enough to record on his own, consequently you have to listen to him with Roach and Brown which isn't a bad deal.

Miles said Roach was never quite the same after Brown died, and I agree; at any rate I'm really enjoying what I can find on you tube with Roach, Brown and Powell.

Enjoy the music.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
I have the CD 'At Basin Street' and 'Plus Four'. Listening to Basin Street now. Thanks for all the info in your posts. Here is the review from Amazon.

Amazon.com
"The Clifford Brown-Max Roach quintet was already one of the best in modern jazz, but when they added Sonny Rollins to the fray in late 1955, it became a lineup for the ages. Basin Street, recorded in early 1956, marks the studio debut of Rollins with the band, and the result is a supercharged highlight of the postbop era. The three furiously paced standards that kick off the set feature superb blowing and crafty arrangements that offer spontaneous intros and rhythmic shifts. Of special note are the contributions of pianist Richie Powell, Bud's younger brother, who not only adds three excellent compositions (the intricate "Powell's Prances," the poignant "Time," and the irresistibly catchy "Gertrude's Bounce"), but also proves himself to be a standout soloist and accompanist. Of course, Brown's bright tone and remarkably fluid ideas are in full bloom as well. Sadly, the quintet would record only once more (Plus 4, issued under Rollins's name) before the June 1956 accident that claimed the lives of Brown and Powell." --Marc Greilsamer

Cheers
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