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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
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,340 posts
 
Great, Acman....glad you enjoyed that Neil Cowley.  I'm still a bit up in the air about him.  Just haven't listened enough.  Liking what I've heard but some part of me is also thinking "he's dumbing it down".  I only just started sampling his stuff,  however.

Thanks for sharing the new Pat Metheny.  My intro to him was As Falls Witchita Falls.  I actually saw him with Lyle and the other guys at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton NJ. for a concert in support of that album.  It was really magical but maybe favored Lyle's contribution as opposed to Pat's guitar work.  

I'm definitely not offended about your comments re my appreciation of his more standard jazz guitar work and sound.  It is what it is for me at this point.  It's funny how you say, "he does go off road every now and then" because all I ever knew of Pat early on WAS off road and, not knowing any better, I thought that was his "on road".  Maybe I will try to list the Pat Metheny stuff I have.  You can see what my listening experience of him has been.  Thanks again.  

Later.  Ciao.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,340 posts
 
Acman - this Cuong Vu stuff is interesting.  Makes me want to hear more by him.  Only puzzler right now is, I'm almost 8 minutes into this 9 minute Acid Kiss track and I haven't heard a lick from Pat...leastways, don't think so.  Well, guess I know what'll be on the box tonight.  This album is on TIDAL.
acman3
4,337 posts
 
Offroad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0JPGo9woRo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d66Ytt2g7ns
acman3
4,337 posts
 
The Song X with Ornette Coleman is actually really good. The band is awesome, Just have to remember not to play it with anyone else in the house.

The recording reminds me of the early, I think, Dial recordings of Charlie Parker with a young Miles Davis trying to keep up, and you being impressed with the lesser, because they did manage to hang in there.

 Both recordings really show who the Master is, at least on this day in time.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,340 posts
 
Ah,  okay, Acman.  Point taken!!!  That first link is pretty far off road!  Wasn't aware Pat had done anything like that. If that is something you listen to regularly - you are WAY more adventurous than I.  Have read "Zero Tolerance" was one of those "contractual obligation" records created "with prejudice", if you will.  While I have some interest in experimental/avant garde, that interest has its limits.  No desire to follow Pat that far off road.  The Ornette Coleman is a little more accessible but again not anything that will be on my top 10 (probably not even top 100) must buy list.  

On the other hand, I just finished the Cuong Vu Trio Meets Pat Metheny.  THAT one works for me though not sure I can fully explain why.  Maybe Frogman can weigh in with some music theory based description of what they are doing.  What I can say from a "subjective-only" perspective:
1) As an entertainment, it's a stretch but not completely out of reach.
2) Some discordancy but not fingernails on blackboard.  
3) The right level of complexity for what I can hear/appreciate today
3) It's new and fresh, interesting and exciting.  
4) Agree with you...love his trumpet tone; no ear bleed
5) Great musicianship all around.  
6) Excellent sonics!
7) Might like it just because of the rhythm section
(drumming especially ;-)

I admit to being given to short-lived infatuations with new music.  Will have to see if Cuong Vu pulls me back for repeat listens.  Have a feeling it will.  Want to explore his other albums too.  Thank you very much for the recommendation.

Right now, listening to Neil Cowley Trio "Displaced".  This strikes me as a little meatier than the pretty but somewhat lightweight (and short) Spacebound Apes.  Looking forward to your further comments about NCT.

Ciao


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