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

Asterwart, that LP started life in the top percentile of jazz albums, and there's not a cut on it that I don't like; they all have different grooves.

"Bangoon" isn't on the LP, maybe they got it on you tube. I'm with you on "Autumn leaves", that one is tops in my book.

Me and Randy have something in common, we both like songs sung in Portuguese, although neither of us understand a single solitary word. I found that song he sang for his grandmother.

BTW you will find "Somethin Else" in just about every aficionado's collection.


astewart8944


I own the Japan box set from 1987 on CD. These are closer to the stereo LPs from the 60's.  The new 50th edition certainly offers more clarity, space, between all instruments.  Happy Listening!

"Somethin Else" was the subject of heavy debate here in this thread about two years or so ago. For anyone interested it might be worth searching the thread’s "archives" for some of that commentary. One of the points of contention was whether "Somethin Else" was a "better" or more important record than "Kind Of Blue" as some asserted. As I recall I was a lone voice with my opinion that, while it is a great record, it was not a particularly influential record the way that KOB was. I also recall that it seemed that there was an unfortunate bias against KOB simply because of the fact that it is an audiophile favorite.....those pesky audiophiles 😎. I like "Somethin Else" a lot and it is a classic. I do have a couple of thoughts about it; one that was also controversial during that previous discussion. First, imo, I think it really is Miles’ date more so than Cannonball’s eventhough Cannon is the "leader". Cannonball was a sideman in Miles’ band and I can’t imagine Miles taking a back seat to one of his sidemen. The proof is in the pudding and as great as Cannonball sounds on the record, to me it is obvious that he is playing with less exuberance than usual and accommodating Miles’ more sparse and introspective style; not a negative and just an observation. My only "issue" with the music is also a personal one. I have never really liked Art Blakey very much as a sideman. His drumming style is a little laid back, almost a little lazy, to my ears. Again, not necessarily a negative, but it might explain Ghosthouse’s reaction to the record. It should also be noted that the title tune is a Miles composition. Definitely one to have in one’s collection.

I'm going to cover the albums that would be in the average Aficionado's collection. When You went over to share a glass of wine and some music, you would most likely find these albums available for listening and discussion.

I purchased this album when it came out; it was so different that in addition to who is that, more conservative aficionados were asking "What is that"? on some of the cuts, like "Bird Calls" for example. Charles Mingus was one of the most unique jazz musicians of his time.



      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eVeZUx7cB0&list=PLG6ZYx25JDSY-tKnrFlLL_RppgeyeG-cD


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC5NPGaRLXk&list=PLG6ZYx25JDSY-tKnrFlLL_RppgeyeG-cD&index=7


"Fables of Faubus" is my favorite cut on this fine LP.



Enjoy the music.
Hello again Orpheus -
So the album is Mingus’ "Ah Um"?

Andy Summers did an album of Mingus’ music called, "Peggy’s Blue Sky Light". Didn’t cover "Better Get Hit in Your Soul" but he did cover
Goodby Pork Pie Hat and Boogie Stop Shuffle from Ah Um. In addition, Fables of Faubus appears as a bonus track on his Earth + Sky.

Would have posted Summers’ version of Better Get Hit but couldn’t find one (nor of Fables) on You Tube. Instead, here is his version of Boogie Stop Shuffle. Actually the whole of Blue Skylight is at the 2nd link.

Wonder what you will think of these more contemporary "takes".

Still interested too in your thoughts on Brecker’s "African Skies", by the way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_dD9W7liwA&index=1&list=PLQ4IOTdzCC4cywUvFGbWDKBcWf8GLgndt&...

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ4IOTdzCC4cywUvFGbWDKBcWf8GLgndt

What's up with the alternate spellings for "Better Get It?"  is it Git Hit??