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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
frogman
7,562 posts
 
Now, this really is special. A friend sent me this. I have listened and loved this record for over thirty years (!) and had no idea that there was live video footage of that very live performance at the Montreux Festival in 1969. I know every note on that record and it adds a great deal to make the visual connection. Eddie Harris is as funky as ever and biggest surprise for me on this record has always been Benny Bailey on trumpet with some very exciting and very vocal solos. One of the funkiest records I have ever heard:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv0fnSBf0Do

It gets even more special. For those more than thirty years I have thought that the applause we hear at 3:08 was mid-solo applause for Benny Bailey. Look at the video and you will see that the applause is FOR ELLA WHO HAS JUST ARRIVED AND IS TAKING HER SEAT! Gotta love it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y8YOLY4Tats
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,340 posts
 
Hey Frogman - Thanks for those links.  What record are you referring to?  I did find "Swiss Movement (Montreaux 30th Anniversary)" a 2004 release.  It's live McCann & Harris with Compared to What.  Sound quality seems excellent.  The album includes:  Cold Duck Time, Kathleen's Theme, You Got It In Your Soulness, The Generation Gap, Kaftan.  If you would, let me know.  Thanks.
frogman
7,562 posts
 
That's the one.   Enjoy!
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,340 posts
 
Found it this AM on Spotify, Frogman. I sampled it briefly. Liked what I heard and think it’s worth further listening. Jazz philistine that I am, however, I could really do without the singing (hopefully only on the one track). I wish I could describe/define what it is about some jazz music (not only jazz but all sorts of music) that hooks and engages me as opposed to other well-regarded stuff that is painfully boring.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

"Cold Duck Time" and "Compared To What" are universally loved in the jazz community, and they were hits from day one.

I'm not certain if the tune "Cold Duck Time" refers to a popular wine we were drinking at that time, but I recall guys coming to parties with bottles of it and announcing "It's cold duck time", let the celebration begin.

Those were the days my friend, I thought they would never end. The very ground that I partied and had so much fun on, is now the Ghetto, and nobody I know lives there any longer. Since I consider myself a sociologist, that's very important. I'm not changing the subject, music relates to everything, it comes from the people at the time of it's origination. Those were some good times, and you can feel it in the music, they even danced to it.

Those changes have occurred in every major city in this country; if you are a concerned citizen of this country, you should be concerned about that. Changes that take a minimum of 30 years, occurred overnight. Now compared to then (1969), should be the title of a song.


Enjoy the music.





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