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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
 
Frogman -
Taj and Keb…Don’t Leave Me Here. Almost tells the history of the blues right there. Great track. I can definitely hear B.B. King doing a version of it.  Don’t know anything about the LP. (sampled your other tracks from it) Will enjoy looking at credits.

Acman -
Fusion Chromazone - Heard of Stern but don’t know much. Technically excellent but how much of this kind of thing can you really listen to. (no offense)

Return to Forever - The Musician…really like the horns. Hear similarities to Zappa’s Grand Wazoo. Wonder who was first? No guitar! Instead some bowed upright bass by Mssr. Clarke.

Billy Cobham’s Spectrum - I have this saved on Spotify. Never got into it all that much. Participation of Tommy Bolin was what led me to it.  Another LP (along with TW’s Lifetime #1) to revisit.

Thanks gents.




ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,340 posts
 
Frogman - Missed commenting on the Corea Quartet #1 first time around.  For whatever reason, this is interesting to me. Not sweetness and light throughout but not "shallow lyricism" either. Kinda meaty. Excellent musicianship of course. Reading about it on Wikipedia.  I will definitely be listening to the 3 Quartets in full very soon (like tonight, maybe). As I said, not a Corea hater; just never liked what I’d heard of his Return to Forever work.  

Thanks again to all.

frogman
7,562 posts
 
"Kinda meaty" is a good way to describe that piece by Corea. I understand your reaction to a lot of Corea’s other work. A lot of his stuff does have a quality about it that can give it a lite, even kinda cute, vibe. Personally, I wouldn’t call it "shallow" as his compositions and playing have also have a sense of sincerity. He definitely has a unique voice that is informed by his Spanish heritage and Classical music background. Several of his tunes have become standards and "Spain" is probably his most recognized. Great tune featuring perhaps the greatest jazz flutist that ever lived; well, my favorite at least, the great Joe Farrell:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a_OEJ0wqt2g

One of my all-time favorite recordings, Stan Getz’s "Sweet Rain" features some of my very favorite playing by Corea as sideman:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3qGDF5gnjTU

ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,340 posts
 
I really didn't have Corea's music in mind when I made that "shallow lyricism" comment.  "Superficial" might have been the better adjective for what I was trying get at: a surface prettiness that doesn't require much effort to appreciate.  No depth so no digging required...no durability.  (I really should shut up now.  Getting in over my head.)

But yeah, I guess some of the Return to Forever compositions might strike me that way...again, didn't really have them in mind.  

I dud spend a good deal of time this evening listening to the full Quartets album on the main system via Tidal.  Listened to it straight through twice.  It definitely becomes more comprehensible with repeated listening.  Could end up being a "buy".

Gettting late for me.  Tomorrow I will check out those two links you just posted.  Thanks as always for your enlightening comments.   

Talking piano.  I was very impressed with Joe Sample on the couple of early Jazz Crusaders albums I listened to yesterday. 
frogman
7,562 posts
 
****  (I really should shut up now. Getting in over my head.) ****

Not at all.  I think your descriptions are excellent and an inquisitive attitude is something that makes for good exchanges. 
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