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
****Hmmmm, so did Wynton.*****

Wynton also plays Classical music. He probably went to Juilliard to keep up on his nut&bolts. Or he could have been getting his "ticket punched" for the gig at Lincoln Center. Since NYC is completely under the control of N&Bism.

Cheers
Rok, I have read through this whole last week's posts on this thread and I still have no idea a) just exactly what you think you mean by "nuts and bolts" and b) why you apparently set no value on it. Frogman made a valiant attempt to explain, and I'm not sure I can add to his.

The thing that puzzles me the most is when you say you don't buy it that artists have great appreciation for others in their field who do things very differently from them. Frankly, your position and arguments make no sense. Why wouldn't Renee Fleming appreciate Ella Fitzgerald? Why wouldn't Wynton appreciate Miles? Why wouldn't Picasso appreciate Matisse? Why wouldn't Shakespeare appreciate Joyce? Or the other way around in any of these examples?? Great artists will always respect the craft of others (is this term more acceptable to you?), even if they dislike what is being created with that craft. You can substitute the violin examples earlier instead, but as a brass player it is more natural for me to bring up the trumpet ones - absolutely no one, even the people who hate him, would ever say that Wynton could not play, or disrespect his craft. He has this in spades, more than any other jazz trumpeter ever, and all the others greatly appreciate it, even if they don't care for the music he makes with it. Everyone who is any good at all has worked very hard at their craft, and appreciates others who have done the same. Same thing in the world of athletics. When two of the best are battling it out, whether it be individual or team sports, the opponents have to have the utmost respect for each other's game, even if they are very different styles, and they don't like each other's style, or don't like them personally, or whatever.
Listened to today:

Horace Silver -- DOIN' THE THING -- AT THE VILLAGE GATE
Horace Silver -- JAZZ HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR
Charles Mingus -- OH YEAH
George F. Handel -- WATER MUSIC / FIREWORKS MUSIC

Both Silver CDs were great. His death really sadden me. Surprised me. This is from his liner notes of the 'Sense of Humor' CD. The players he talks about are the group on this CD. Kisor plays trumpet, and has a beautiful tone. They were all good.

"I haver often been concerned about the state of Jazz in the future since most of our older masters of the music have passed on. I don't feel I have to be concerned about that issue any longer since fine young musicians like Ryan Kisor,Jimmy Greene,John Webber, and Willie Jones III are on the scene.....there are many more young Jazz musicians who are capable of carrying the music forward and insuring that it stays alive and vibrant. Insuring that it remains pure and unadulterated. Insuring that the masters have not sacrificed and dedicated their lives to this music in vain. Long live jazz in it's pure and unadulterated form."

He then dedicated the album to Thomas 'Fats' Waller.

Any Comments?

Nice interview with mingus at the end of his CD. Talks about his early career. He played with everyone, including Armstrong. Was afraid to travel down south with Pops, so he quit the band. Disappoints me to know that. Talks about influences like Joe Turner and T-Bone Walker.

The Water Music is the one The Frogman recommended. The English Concert / Pinnock. As always, The Frogman was spot on! Thanks.

I may have submitted this one before. It's LvB's 9th. Played at the 2012 porms. I am sending it again just for the interview at the beginning with Barenboim. I don't remember it being part of the clip last time. He makes some interesting comments about the symphony.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vypj9NCINdM

Cheers
Learsfool:

Nuts and Bolts is a term I use to reflect an attitude. And that is, that playing music in accordance with some musical theory, and that along, can make a player great.

You and The Frogman have a habit that drives me nuts. You misquote me, and then shoot down the misquote!

I was speaking of great players being asked about, not so great, or unknown players. "What do you think of so & so?"
Answer: Oh man, he is a great player. I wish I had him in my band. He will be the best someday. etc......

They will never say anything negative about a player regardless of that player's skill or potential. Why?
I think it's just because they are all nice guys. And they were not born great, so they know what it's like to struggle.

I cannot imagine any musician, other than so-called Rock musicians, being anything other than nice human beings.

Cross-genre? You are correct. They all respect each other. The great ones. Beverly Sills once said that Ella Fitzgerald had the most perfect voice she had ever heard. She was not being nice. Just factual. And I am sure the feeling was mutual.

My comments were about the great, being asked about the not so great, and unknown. And Nuts and Bolts, as I use it, means, if anything, a school of thought. Sort of like saying, you can go to school and learn how to be a great Jazz player. You can't. If you could, I would be one. :)

Cheers