2. music
  3. 1361722327

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
7,560 posts
 
Btw, for anyone interested, the melody for the "tune" in the Jesse Cook clip was an appropriation (iow, "lifted") of a traditional Colombian "cumbia" with lyrics  made popular in the early 50s titled "La Mucura".  This is an early version by one of the greatest Cuban singers of all time, Beny More:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1x3dXHylR4

frogman
7,560 posts
 
And btw, Jesse Cook is not even close to being a contender for "world's leading exponent of Spanish Guitar".  Perhaps in the pop-ish World Music bag like the "Havana" clip; but no more than that.  Contenders are players like Paco DeLucia, Juan Martin and Paco Pena.  Lots on YouTube.


rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Today's Listen:

McCoy Tyner -- SAHARA

For all you Impressionists.  In lesser hands, this could have easily been noise.  Thankfully these hands are quite capable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJz5J-k04CQ&list=PLphrIV29xxqtHaJHsSAJuTZL5uILcJOdw

Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

I bought that album when it came out. That looks like a photograph of "North St. Louis", before it fell on hard times.

If I'm not mistaken, that's "fusion", I know I liked it, and listen to it still.


Enjoy the music.
newbee
4,817 posts
 
orpheus10, Not to put too fine a point of this 'good v bad' issue, but as I  see it, good v bad is commonly applied in an absolute sense but too often it is used in place of  'I like or dislike'. 

When you say 'like' or 'dislike' it is a personal statement  whether you choose to amplify it or not. When you say 'good' or 'bad' it suggests that this categorization has more of a universal application to the music absent your personal enjoyment or lack thereof, and most folks would expect you to amplify on how you reached that conclusion.

FWIW.

Frogman, I just listened to Rene Marie's 'Sound of Red'. It is easily the best recording that I have of her music (and that is most of them) both by virtue of her singing and the recording. Your comments about her diversity of styles is right on point. Interestingly the last cut, 'Blessings', strongly reminds me of some of Eva Cassidy's songs. My appreciation for Eva's music and voice is exceeded only by the sadness it brings to me to know there will be nothing new. 

Acman, Thanks for the recommendation for Sari Kessler's 'Do Right'. I listened to it just after Marie's recording. Very different voices and styles, but very enjoyable non-the-less. I little more laid back, I think. 

More to discover