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
The Frogman:

My current Gramophone magazine also says that Levine is now confined to a wheelchair. Any impact on his ability to conduct, from a player's point of view?

Cheers
@Acman - did not mean to imply at all that it was a stupid question! I just wasn't sure what you meant, and I wanted to explain that I would actually consider Van Sweden to be MORE qualified, not less, than many others, because of his extensive orchestral performing experience. He knows what gestures the musicians really need, and which ones they don't, and that sort of conductor in general also knows what sorts of gestures he can make for the audience's benefit and understanding that do not disrupt what the musicians are doing.

Frogman's post is an excellent elaboration of mine.

Rok, last I heard Levine is unable to conduct at all right now. My understanding is that it is uncertain whether he ever will again, but Frogman may know more? I will just add that conducting is more physically demanding than it appears to be - Levine is currently unable to make it through a concert physically. His musical ability of course remains.

Orpheus, I would disagree that one must have a megabucks rig for classical. What I would say is that classical music makes more demands on a system. For me and for many musicians, old school systems are better for classical - very efficient speakers, driven by low powered electronics. Horns and tubes are my personal favorite, and such a system can be put together relatively inexpensively compared to the rest of high end audio (which is good, otherwise musicians like me would be priced out of it!). But I don't want this thread to turn in to that type of discussion, that has been done over and over elsewhere on this site. By the way, just about all movie theaters still use horn speaker systems.
Rok, Levine has had to make adjustments to his conducting because he is confined to a wheel chair. His ability to convey to the players what he wants has not diminished. Aside from actual conducting technique he has an uncanny ability to put into words what he wants and what the player should aim for that adds a certain clarity to the process. Levine conducted the run of "Falstaff" a couple of months ago and is scheduled to conduct Berg's "Wozzeck" beginning next month. You may find these video's interesting; he addresses some of those issues:

http://www.bloomberg.com/video/james-levine-returns-to-met-charlie-rose-10-21-IhodjYjSSh2VrNdXj2rHeg.html

http://www.metoperafamily.org/video/2013-2014/falstaff/watch/james-levine-rehearses-falstaff/2866059273001
The Frogman:

The charlie rose interview is the most informative and interesting I have ever seen. Great stuff! Thanks.

The second clip was basically the Rose interview again, BUT, the short clip of the rehearsal with the singers, was priceless!!

Same with the short clip of the LvB 5th rehearsal. I would rather see the rehearsal than to see the actual performance. Crazy but true.

He mentioned doing 'Flastaff". I have that on LP box set, Vienna / Karajan. One of the most beautiful and captivating LP cover photos ever! Since Levine spoke so highly of it, I will have to get it on DVD now.

He was very open and honest about the help he received along the way. And to have the career he has had, while in constant pain for a large period of that time, just adds to his greatest.

I found his comments about singers, esp females, looking the part, to be very interesting. And sadly true. It never hurts to be beautiful.

Thanks for a really interesting post.

Cheers

Rok, I have "Stardust" on "Jazz Round Round Midnight"; she's accompanied by many of the artists we've already discussed, not a hint of R&B on this CD. It captures the essence of the person; she had a deep longing for something that could never be, her 8 marriages might be an indication of that.

"Honey, if I told you, you'd faint" was one of her responses to the "Three Wishes".
This CD captures the person inside the entertainer more than any other.

Enjoy the music.