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
Hucklebuck:

That ain't "quoting", that's Grand Theft.


I used to listen to 'hucklebuck' when I was a child.  Who did that version?



***** how they settle it is up to them, I'm not in it.*****

Nice to know the OP has your back.

Cheers

Since "Bird" came out with "Now's The Time" before the "Huckle Buck", I believe that determined who copied who; however, maybe those notes were "unconscious".


"Now's the Time" (Parker), a 1945 composition by Charlie Parker.



Enjoy the music
I hope you all don't mind, but here is a short break from the regular discussion.

Any musician knows you have to rehearse if you're serious about the gig(s) coming up.  You need to know the tunes, tempo, time signature, changes in structure, etc.  It's also good to know what time to be at the gig.  Basically, if you're playing with more than one person, it's good to agree on some things before you begin.

I've been to rehearsals, (jazz gigs) that lasted two or three hours.  I've been to some where the rehearsal took place while doing a sound check.  I've been to more than one where the rehearsal was conversation between the players.  I guess it just depends on the situation.

It sucks to be late.  It sucks more if it's you.  It especially sucks if you are the only one that shows up.  Late means you're playing catch up and somebody has to walk you through what's going to happen. 

Late means you really don't give a sh*t, or somebody died. 

The Lounge Lizards recorded a song entitled, "Where Were You.?"  A fun and serious musical commentary about the business of the gigging musician. 

I've listened to this many times and never fail to laugh out loud.

I hope you have as much fun listening to this as I do.

Happy Tuesday!

-- Bob

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRUygOpEEFQ
That was very funny, jzzmusician; thanks.  On a somewhat related note (pun), this is Frank Zappa's parody of the studio musician scene; a scene which, outside of LA, hardly exists anymore.  Hysterical and a pretty accurate picture of the darker side of that scene during its heyday:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JRUygOpEEFQ

btw, your description of what rehearsing is about is right on; depends on the situation.
Ilikemiles, welcome to the thread. Glad you mentioned Billy Taylor; hasn’t been mentioned much on this thread and he deserves to be. He is an iconic figure in the world of jazz; not just as a player, but as educator and broadcaster as well.

Martial Solal is one of my favorite unsung piano players. This record, "Four Keys", from 1979 features one of the most interesting and rather strange lineups of any of my records. Solal, the great Lee Konitz, Orsted Pederson and John Scofield (known mainly as a fusion player but showing some impressive straight ahead chops here). Very interesting record with unusual tunes based on interesting harmonies and oblique melodies; and some free improvisation:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ziRheolgl58

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hq42bTEklPg

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=434Z3pK85fQ

btw, I like Miles too; a lot.