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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
 
O-10:

Revisited the "100 best from the 1950's" box set today. Listened to CD5 and CD6. On CD5, thru the miracle of science, Paul Gonsalves' solo has been restored to it's rightful place on "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue"

The last six tracks are just an embarrassment of riches.

CD6 includes the tunes that started this thread, "Moanin'" and "Along Came Betty". Great stuff, but I think Johnny Griffin's "Cherokee" and Bill Evans' "Peace Piece" may have taken top honors.

Can't get enough of this box set. Wonderful sound quality. I have found a few more box sets by the same folks,'Chrome Dreams'. Will try to determine if they are as good.

Cheers
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
****I think she is at her best singing things like this:***

I tend to agree, but I could do without all the histrionics that passes for 'feeling' and 'soul' these days.

Cheers
frogman
7,476 posts
 
I find it difficult to watch her sing. I prefer to just listen. Way too much "mugging".
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Well fellows, in regard to my dilemma, I've done all I can do, now it's in the hands of a higher power.

Rachell seems to have stirred up a lot of controversy, and that's a good thing. I find it amazing how aficionados can disagree, and at the same time agree.

While Frogman's post was, as usual, very accurate; especially when you compare Rachell to great jazz vocalists of the past; however, I attribute her over the top expressions to originality, and that's a good thing, but she sounded best, "sight unseen".

Rok, nothing has changed in regard to which tunes on that compilation we like best; however, just the other day, I was thinking about how they're better than my original LP's, and I'm eagerly awaiting your post on this latest compilation.

Enjoy the music.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
O-10:

I have added the following to my cart:

25 Best Jazz Tunes of 1960 2CD
25 Best Jazz Tunes of 1961 2CD
Birth of Soul Jazz 2CD
Evolution: The Road To Giant Steps 4CD
Playing It Cool: Classic West Coast Jazz 2CD
Beat Generation Jazz 2CD

They are all from the same label that produced the 100 best of the 1950's.
Not much info concerning sound quality. I will try the 1960 & 1961, plus the Coltrane set first. Will report after I have listened to them.

The Coltrane set is him as leader and with other groups as band member. Seems to be a good selection.

Most of this music I have, it's like paying someone to make complilations of the best. And as you said, they do sound better than the original album.

I am sort of nervous about the BEAT Jazz thingy. I remember trying to read "Naked Lunch". Sort of put me off the BEAT generation.

Cheers
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