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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
frogman
7,532 posts
 
He was one of the acknowledged greats on the alto saxophone. Unfortunately, Phil Woods was hugely unrecognized as a composer and arranger. This is a gem of a record in a genre not talked about much here, the "small big band"; or, octet in this case. One of my favorite small ensemble records, the title is a play on Stravinsky’s "Rite Of Spring". It features many of the names mentioned here including Julius Watkins on French Horn playing a very nimble (😉 ) solo.  Those familiar with Stravinsky’s work will recognize his quote @ 3:55.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PL55774CEA75D0E052&v=Lt61t0Hnt0w

And Benny Bailey, one of the truly unsung heroes of the trumpet:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PL55774CEA75D0E052&params=EAEYATgBSAFYAmILOF9JTG44R0RWdHNoAA%25...
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
"Music is found in every known culture, past and present, varying widely between times and places. Since all people of the world, including the most isolated tribal groups, have a form of music, it may be concluded that music is likely to have been present in the ancestral population prior to the dispersal of humans around the world. Consequently, music may have been in existence for at least 55,000 years and the first music may have been invented in Africa and then evolved to become a fundamental constituent of human life."

So we can say that there would be no Jazz and also no "European Classical Tradition" without our log beater in Africa.   I will agree that Jazz is a eventual result of the first human attempt to make music.   That would be about 55,000 years ago.   I think that predates Europe, let along the "European Classical Tradition".  Nice try.


***** Unfortunately, Phil Woods was hugely unrecognized as a composer and arranger. *****

"If they are unknown, not respected or ignored, it's for a very good reason"
The Frogman's First Law of Musicians.

Cheers

 
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
***** To say "we are not talking about harmonic concepts, we are talking about jazz" is like saying we are not talking about food, we are talking about gumbo****

No, it means we are talking about the finished or final product.  

Cheers
frogman
7,532 posts
 
Rok, I realize that this stuff is very difficult for you to grasp, but there existed a European Classical music tradition long before any European set foot on African soil.  It can be said, however, that there also would be no jazz without your log beaters; but, you already told us way back that you don't believe that.  Try for some consistency; please.  As far as Phil goes, as I pointed out to O-10 (I think) recently my words were: "there is USUALLY a reason why........".  Now, let's keep things interesting and relevant: I just posted two clips of Phil's writing.  Tell us in a way that is informative, why you don't think it is at the highest level of writing and arranging. 
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
We always knew The Frogman was an excellent Jazz and Classical musician.   We can now add Tap-Dancing to his skill set.

The more I read his response / posts, the more I have to turn to The Book of Job for the strength and inspiration to carry on.

Cheers
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