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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
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
He absolutely has that Pat Metheny sound,  Saw  Pat  live .


Enjoy the music.
frogman
7,475 posts
 
Ghosthouse, you hit the head of the objective/subjective nail.  That Frisell is an excellent guitarist is undeniable as you say; that's objective.  That his style doesn't move you is subjective.  That, of course, does not mean his style won't move other listeners who have a different sensibility than you do; or any of us.  We all have musical sensibilities based on our personalities and life experiences.  Personally, I sometimes enjoy artists whose craft I appreciate and whose sensibilites challenge my own.  I like Frisell's unique, cool and somewhat intellectual style informed by everything from country to classical.

I also like Steve Steven's very visceral style; in some ways the antithesis of Frisell.  A comparison of the two strikes me as an apples vs oranges comparison.  Stevens comes from the Rock and Roll side of things while Frisell comes more from the Jazz side of things.  There would be musical settings where Stevens couldn't touch Frisell and vise versa.  I like them both and both move me depending on what I am looking for at any given time (MY mood).  I can't imagine Frisell wearing these shoes, just as I couldn't imagine Stevens crafting a great introspective solo over complex and obtuse harmonic changes:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yUi_S6YWjZw

What a shame and waste of talent (Jackson).


orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

I just realized I haven't submitted any music in awhile, here's something for you; a comparison between the old and the new;


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0II1WOTyowo


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5EwGijmqKc


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE1BIXdm38E



Enjoy the music.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,318 posts
 
Very apt description of Frisell’s style, Frogman, as well as the disconnect I tend to feel with him. Enjoyed your comments. I do find the videos of him as part of that Ginger Baker Trio concert worth watching. The first (1/4) is very enjoyable but I found myself getting annoyed with him early on in the second. I’ve always appreciated and agreed with the objective/subjective distinction points you’ve made from time to time.

Might have misled you by posting the link to Spiral (Bozzio, Levin, Stevens) in the same post with the Frisell comments. Apologies. I should have posted that separately. Intended it simply for appreciation of a beautiful instrumental with some "improvisational" elements. Wasn’t intending to solicit a "compare and contrast" of the two! - though I don’t argue with any of the points you make about Frisell vs Stevens. If I could only listen to one of them, I’d definitely pick Frisell.

Stevens on the 2 BLS albums is, however, a lot different than you’d expect from his work with Billy Idol or even in that way-over-the-top Michael Jackson video. Yeesh...back lighting, smoke and wind machines, big hair, black leather, screaming crowd...did they leave any rock stereotypes out of that one? I’m more from rock/blues than jazz but that video is documentary evidence of what I loathed most about MTV! Gimme that Ginger Baker Trio performance any day! (Hope you won’t be offended by my mini-rant here).

I know MJ is widely respected as a great talent - I’m not disputing that - but his train left the station without me ever being on board. Not that my lack of interest matters a whit to anyone else! "Just sayin’" so as to provide some further context on personal taste.  

Later.
alexatpos
1,222 posts
 
Here is another guitarist which was not mentioned often. European artsist, started to play in Us during 50’s and continued to do so for next 20 years. Played with C.Baker,S.Rollins and S.Getz. among many others. Here are some links, first from his album as a leader.

Rene Thomas
’Guitar Groove’, from 1960.
https://youtu.be/Vi5sjNSv-v0

https://youtu.be/Ju6gDe6Tne0

One from live album ’Dynasty’ made by Stan Getz, from 1971.

https://youtu.be/MWcRtztr35A

Ghosthouse, saw C.Haden live once, he had a plastic? and transparent wall between him and drummer...


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