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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
4,342 posts
 
Thanks, Frogman.  Interesting stuff.  Wish I lived closer to the city.  Would be great to be able to get in on a Monday night to hear the Vangard Jazz Orchestra.  A bit of living history.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thad_Jones/Mel_Lewis_Orchestra

I especially enjoyed Roland Hanna's piano work on Groove Merchant.  (Seem to enjoy playing that uses a lot of chords.)

Reading about Jones, there are connections to other names...Count Basie, Elvin Jones, Bob Brookmeyer and Tommy Flanagan.   Reflects the jazz "community", I suppose.  
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,342 posts
 
@jafant 

If you have not yet, check out Discogs.  See link below.  Looks like the original CD release year was 2004 in Sweden.  That release available from a US seller for $115.  A Canadian release (1986) is much more affordably priced.  US release date was 1996.  Of course, this assumes the Discogs release history is complete and accurate.  Good luck.

https://www.discogs.com/Arne-Domnérus-Jazz-At-The-Pawnshop/master/244008
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Thad Jones / Mel Lewis:

This is one of my most recent buys.  Two CD set and an outstanding booklet.  This time we have Hank Jones on Piano.

 Sir Roland and the Sax section were awesome on The clip by The Frogman.   When I hear saxophones playing together like that, I always think of Ellington.  They didn't sound like his band, but the Duke had an awesome reed section.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHDX4Ds5Kp0

BTW, listening to music like this, Jazz-Jazz,  can be addictive to Fusion Followers. Next thing you know, you'll be calling folks 'noise makers'.   Just a friendly warning.

The Frogman: great clip.  I have found a way to open your stuff.

Cheers




acman3
4,338 posts
 
Not the biggest JATP fan, but I am looking at my Proprius Music CD from Stockholm, made in the year 1984. 

frogman
7,563 posts
 
Thad Jones was a very innovative arranger and exploited the saxophone section with long sinewy saxophone "solis": the section playing long harmonized musical lines. Great conductor, he was in the "performance mix" more so than most big band leaders with the way that he shaped an arrangement by controlling and cueing the dynamics of the band.  One watches him lead the band and it's almost as if he is part of the rhythm section with his body movements and handclaps, all the while shaping the dynamics of the performance.  He got his start as an arranger while a member of the trumpet section in Count Basie's band.  Not only was he a great arranger he was a great trumpet player:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IL78WhqILZQ

The Vanguard jazz orchestra has been a cornerstone of NYC's Jazz scene for decades keeping Thad's flame alive and where the best current players can be heard.  Some of my favorite saxophone writing by Thad:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4MSMgwknQlI

Great clip of the Thad&Mel mini-documentary, btw.


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