Frogman, here is a sax man that I think we over looked; I like this, but you can probably find something better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdgB_L0_II4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IZb8AJQ7ac
Enjoy the music.
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.
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.
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Catching up on the last couple of days' worth of posts. Thanks to all for the great music. O-10, I liked John Handy's "Naima"; a lot. I really liked the sense of freedom in not having a traditional ballad pulse, but rather slowly harmonies without an obvious beat. And love the way they ended the tune. I have always liked John Handy's playing. There is a sense of honesty and lack of pretense in his playing; or, at least, that's the feeling it evokes in me. He doesn't scream loudly through the horn and is generally understated with a pretty alto sound. I liked "Where Go The Boats" as a composition, but didn't think the playing on the non-traditional instruments was particularly good and thought the synth sound was a little cheesy. Liked the tune, though. Ghosthouse, listened to the Bozzio and Ginger Baker clips; thanks for those. Stevens is a great player as are Bozzio and Levin . I really liked the tune which borrows a little from Nouveau Flamenco to add to that nice folky, if not New Agey, vibe. I love that acoustic guitar driven sound. I have a couple of issues with the performance however. As good as it is, there is a "cautious" feeling to it and things feel a bit too "organized". I would bet that they played it to a click track. One can usually tell when players are playing to a click track; there is a "safe" quality to the feeling. The focus becomes being with the click instead of entirely with each other; potential imperfections and all. The overdubbed guitar is fine, but not the synth strings sound; luckily is was pretty subtle volume wise. That tune was begging for a small string section instead of synth. Really nice guitar solo. Again, probably one of several takes. Nothing inherently wrong with this production approach, but it does take a little of the energy away. Still, really nice tune and I really enjoyed it. Something in a different genre that pushes similar buttons for me, but has a little more abandon might be: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eU2IpZoTMdE The Ginger Baker clip I didn't like; sorry. Thank god for Charlie Haden! He was the rock in that trio and sounds fabulous. Baker is unquestionably more than just a great rock drummer; but, he's no jazz drummer. He does ok, but he just doesn't have the chops and comfort in that language to really contribute on the level of the great jazz drummers and seems to be tagging along Haden's amazing pulse. Speaking of great jazz drummers, some of my favorite Frisell was with Paul Motian: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6jFZ3X9CFuA Love Lovano on this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YaY1GVeHqKw Another great drummer. What do you think of this?: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H-wtZhpxtVE Alex, I loved those Rene Thomas clips. And J.R. Montrose! What a nice player. Swinging and intelligent playing. Thanks for those. Getz? What can one say? Genius. |
I’m behind a good deal in the discussion(s) and links recently posted here. Frogman, As usual great comments. Well articulated. I don’t have the expertise but your MJ vs Bily Ocean comparison of "objective" merit strikes me as correct. The only point I’d make is the professional excellence demonstrated in the MJ video gets trumped by my indifference (lack of response) on an emotional level. Not a luxury someone in the biz (a producer, engineer, arranger, session musician etc.) can indulge, of course. Probably just stating the obvious. BUT I also wonder (beyond technical considerations and purely subjective responses) at what point do artistic valuations come into play? Is this stuff worthwhile? Will it be relevant 50, 100 years from now? Does it have roots in a formal artistic tradition? (not wording this last one quite right). I’m sure this isn’t a complete list. So I dismiss MJ and Caribou Queen because, based on my aesthetic, they don’t make the grade. Is that just another purely subjective response? OR if I’m informed and have "good taste" (whatever that is) does my judgement have some objective standing and carry some real weight?!. Not sure a click track is the cause of everything you heard in the BLS "Spiral" track BUT it might be symptomatic. If you get a chance, give a listen to Black Light Syndrome (the earlier recording by this trio). Can’t remember where I read about it (liner notes? All Music Guide? Amazon reviews??) but this was supposedly more improvisational than Situation Dangerous (where Spiral is from). Situation Dangerous being a recording of actual compositions. If my memory is accurate, your comments about Spiral are certainly consistent with this. While I didn't pick up on it, I’m impressed you detected what might be called "studied-ness" in the performance. Stevens is reportedly a fan of flamenco. You can certainly hear flamenco in Spiral. Haven’t heard it but he has an album called, "Flamenco A-GoGo". That’s one I’d definitely like to hear. No problem about not liking the Ginger Baker Trio performance, though I am surprised. From what I’ve seen of that performance, I thought Baker’s playing very restrained and maybe intentionally so to give more room to Haden and Frisell. You know of course Baker (and Jack Bruce) started out as jazz musicians and were supposedly well regarded as such. I’m not expert (yet again) on jazz drummers but some folk do have a more favorable view of Baker in that role! But again, no problem. Mainly posted those links to showcase Frisell’s playing. Haven’t gotten to all your links yet. I do appreciate your thoughtful and in-depth remark on mine. |
Frogman - Battle performing Bachianas Brasileires No. 5 is quite something. It might not be opera but the vocal skills are certainly derived from that. @alexatpos If you’ve never seen the 1981 film, Diva, I hope you will. If you have already, then I hope you will enjoy again this scene... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFg-M6c5tU0&ab_channel=AtaGET Well, Callas was right there and I couldn't resist. Great photos too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pkNpl-tZIw&ab_channel=Klibanarios |
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