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, I'm glad you're back. I'm going to give each one of your links a thorough listening, and get back to you with my review.


Enjoy the music.

Frogman, that clip you posted of "Summertime" was so fantastic that I played it over and over; the girl singing was exquisitely beautiful. I discovered the "exquisitely" beautiful voice did not belong to the lady singing, but you can't have everything.


Enjoy the music.
For anyone who enjoys music from the swing era, but is no all that engaged by the sound of big bands prevalent in the 30's and 40's, you might enjoy music by Scott Hamilton and his Quartet (or Quintet). A few of the CD's that I enjoy are 'Race Point', 'Radio City', and more recently 'My Romance', but there are so many to pick from that are equally good.  

In the same style, look up some of Dick Hyman's solo piano CD's. Four that come to mind that I really enjoy are Reference Recording's 'Dick Hyman plays Duke Ellington', 'Dick Hyman in Recital', "From the Age of Swing' and Concord Jazz'  'Music of 1937' Music of 1937'.

FWIW, CJ's  Maybeck Hall series contains a lot of great jazz for those who like solo piano. I highly recommend its exploration.