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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
newbee
4,822 posts
 
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.


rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Recent acquisition from Amazon.  Ain't got it, git it!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHDX4Ds5Kp0

The clip tells you all you need to know.

Cheers
alexatpos
1,249 posts
 
Another album of above mentioned Thad Jones that I can recommend.
It is called 'After Hours' from 1957.
The album is recorded with realy great line up that also includes Kenny Burrell,Art Taylor, Paul Chambers, Mal Waldron and Frenk Wess.
It is a great, relaxed session, sextet jam, all numbers are quite long and there is space for all men to play their solos.

https://youtu.be/pAI3jmbSBrg

https://youtu.be/uWRZVUAhroA
frogman
7,562 posts
 
Thrilled to see mention of the Thad and Mel band.  Had the pleasure of hearing the band when Thad was still here about half a dozen times; amazing band.   Great YouTube clip!  It some subtle and some not so subtle ways it goes to so much of what we argue about here.  Bottom line: there's always great music going on; its up to us to keep up with it, not the other way around.
frogman
7,562 posts
 
Mel Lewis had one of the most distinctive time feels as a drummer; particularly his cymbal sound.  Very relaxed but with good forward momentum.

Loved the Jones "After Hours" clips.  Thad Jones was a beautiful jazz player who could have been one of THE names that always comes up on "best jazz trumpet" lists and whose excellence and success as a writer and orchestrator took some of the limelight off of his playing.  Great stuff!


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