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
Nice, Acman3; you did it again, finding yet another great player that we hadn't covered. As a trumpet player yourself, I am sure you notice the similarity of tone to Dizzy's. He was one of the first trumpet beboppers and I know his playing from some of Charlie Parker's records. There is a Bird compilation titled "Bird In Time" that features McGhee and includes some amazing interviews and commentary about Bird that is worth having. Thanks for sharing.
Frogman, I own, and make loud noises with a tenor sax. I would hardly call it playing. ;} No trumpet.

I read that a young Miles Davis studied the way Mcghee played. If you think about how Miles played with Charlie Parker in the late 40's, it may be true. It is said he was among the best, but kept having drug problems and jail time.
Thanks for clarifying, I thought I remembered you saying that you played trumpet. It was probably because of this comment that I misinterpreted,

****I was led to Mr. Harrell in the mid eighties by a trumpet player/teacher who worked....****

and your affinity for Dave Douglas. Anyway, nice Howard McGhee clips; thanks.
Things I listened to Today:

Keith Jarrett -- THE KOLN CONCERT
Tour de force. Quite an accomplishment for a full CD of unaccompanied Jazz piano.

Howlin' Wolf -- THE CHESS BOX CD #2
Warning!! This is the real blues. Might be a little raw for some. One of the all time great bluesmen. All of his best stuff is on the Chess Box 3-CD set. A Must have fort any blues lover.

Labi Siffre -- SO STRONG
Exceptional songs. Great and unique voice. Not a weak track on the disc. This is an example of great song writing.

Modern Jazz Quartet -- MJQ & FRIENDS
Typical MJQ, which means, very good. They play each tune with a different 'friend'.

I higly recommend them all.

In the ionterest of full disclosure, when I played the MJQ disc, on the tune 'All the things you are' I had to get up and go read the notes to see who was on sax. Turned out it was Phil Woods!! Grrrrrrrrr. He can play. Beautiful tone and phrasing.

Cheers