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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
 
Today's Listen:

John Coltrane -- COLTRANE LIVE AT BIRDLAND
Great set. This was before he got in his Sunship and took off for Stellar Regions. Great version of Afro-Blue.

The recording had problems. Coltrane from the left speaker, Piano and bass inbetween and the drums from the right speaker! Sucks. But the music is exceptional.

Duke Ellington -- AND HIS MOTHER CALLED HIM BILL
Recorded in honor and memory of Billy Strayhorn. My favorite Ellington disc. The Ellington Band!! What an instrument!

Anyone interested in hearing great Sax playing should listen to this CD. Hodges on 'Blood Count'!! Strayhorn died about 6 months prior to this recording. He and Ellington were very close when it came to composing and arranging.

Very eloquent notes in the liner from Ellington, about Strayhorn. Great loss.

Doc Cheatham/Nicholas Payton -- DOC CHEATHAM & NICHOLAS PAYTON

Lazy down-home Nawlins style Jazz. Cheatham sings. He really should not. Nice relaxed playing by two guys who keep the flame alive. Mostly well known standards.

The Ellington and Coltrane are must haves.

Cheers
acman3
4,275 posts
 
RIP Paco…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v35YhhzCrYk
acman3
4,275 posts
 
Rok, I love both the Coltrane and the Ellington.

Another live Coltrane recording, Live at the Half Note, was made about a year and a half latter, finds Coltrane in transition. Not quite the full throttle sax monster he would be in 3 to 6 months on Live in Seattle, but heading in that direction.
acman3
4,275 posts
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSkISSjuLGU
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
LOVE Sophisticated Giant! I've got my original beat up vinyl copy, a used European pristine vinyl copy, and the CD! Columbia released 'Montreux Summit', 2 dbl LP's featuring their artist roster live in Montreux during the 70's. Largely a monster Fusion-fest but sprinkled in the mix were solo cuts of Stan Getz AND a few cuts featuring Dexter and his Sophisticated Giant band, very rare and special for a fan such as myself.

Also LOVE Phil Woods, I own close to 20 different recordings of his. I'd recommend:
Phil & Quill
Rights Of Swing
Musique Du Bois
Images (W/Michel LeGrand) - side B
Live From the Showboat
Song For Sisyphus
Phil Woods/Lew Tabakin
Evolution (W/the Little Big band)
Real life (also w/LBG)
An Affair To Remember
Celebration
Groovin' To Marty Paich
American Songbook
....and this is just some, not all, of my PW collection. What's amazing is that I probably own less than 50% of his discography! He's been playing for almost as long as I've been alive (60). One of the last of the originals still with us. I think he was married to Charlie Parker's daughter, a true living legend!
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