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
Alex, I was hoping someone else would chime in, but yes I have that Eric Gale record. A real bluesy album with a lot of good playing, as you would expect from the personnel. 

Gale plays with great tone and supports the other soloist well, when not soloing himself. Persons is his usual Great self! Liston Smith is unusually subdued. Anyway that is my quick take on the record.
Alex, I can't disagree with anything you wrote.  CTI was a great commercial package; right down to the impressive album cover art.  I don't know wether Creed Taylor's motivation was purely financial or wether it was an interest in bringing jazz to a broader audience, but I suspect there are many serious jazz lovers out there who got their feet wet with the more accessible CTI sound.

 A favorite CTI track (eventhough I'm not crazy about some of the rest of the record).  But, why electric piano?  I think it would have been much better with acoustic; but, electric piano was the sound of "modern" and "hip".   Not for Desmond, imo;   I think it just makes the track sound a little "Jazz-lite".  Still, beautiful.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CAnxsGMXRME
If this doesn’t put a smile on your face.......

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=om9MmU6-fhA

What at a nice feel! Tasty and relaxed soloing that always tells a story. Ben Webster sounds amazing!