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
Fantastic document, Alex; thanks for that. One of the many beautiful things about Jazz is that it is a never ending continuum; always evolving. Some may not be willing to accept (or like) this fact, but a fact it is and it would serve "aficionados" well to put their favorite period in the history of the music in the context of this fact. There are no "best" nor "most influential" in this music since our favorites from any given period would not have been possible without those who came before them. Bird would not have been possible without Pops. So, with that in mind, who then is the "most" influential? Personally, I find early jazz fascinating and very enjoyable just as I do quality examples from any other period, early or recent. I would never suggest that everyone has to like jazz from every period in its history, but I would suggest that to not be dismissive of the music that led to our favorite period adds a great deal to our appreciation and enjoyment of our preferred style of jazz. I would also suggest that to be so quick to dismiss those early styles belies a fundamental flaw in a person’s understanding of the music.

The origins of the word "Jazz" is one of the most researched in the English language and the spelling "jass" is not "wrong". It is, in fact, how the word was originally spelled; along with "jasz", "jasm" and with origins in the word "jism" (!). It’s a very interesting story which every "aficionado" should be aware of; just like the very important fact that Pops was far more than an "entertainer". Personally, until I understand things of this nature, I would not be so quick to pat myself on the back for being so unique and insightful compared to others. We tend to think we know a lot more than we do; human nature, I suppose.



Frogman! How was the weather in the Caribbean? Or was it The Med this time? (that's short for Mediterranean) Well it's good to see that you're back.

Since I'm not a historian, but an "aficionado" with feeling, I'm only curious about what I feel in regard to the music, and the only thing I feel when I hear 'Dixieland' is turn it down, or turn it off. Sometime I think of this song;


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUjLE_N1Cuc


Each to his or her own.
Thanks for the "welcome back", O-10.  Nothing nearly as exotic as the Med this time; just busy with life and work.  

"Detente"?:

**** I would be quite satisfied, and that includes disagreements and all. ****

Al Jarreau truly was a great jazz singer; a great musician.  The vast majority of "great" singers couldn't come close to pulling this off with this kind of rhythmic confidence and accuracy.  In five! :

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hhq7fSrXn0c

A favorite:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LRbtvRQUi8w


I just discovered a record that was recorded in 60, but the entire album has this early 50's sound; King Pleasure can take you back to the good times of "Be-Bop", and the saxes are smoking, the sound is reminiscent of James Moody and the "Bird".


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22vW4hza1vE&list=PLFqxqeCgaWFqBGkJSRsPysWyfwQJLf98f


Enjoy the music.