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
Orpheus, just wanted to add that is almost impossible to have all the 'known' and the 'unknown' artists and albums in one collection, so, please, just continue to post whatever comes to your mind. Believe me, there are gaps (certainly in mine) knowledge and I am always very glad to hear something 'new', no matter, or even better, if its from some 'well known' player.
By the way, liked both posts of Sonny Criss,will have to listen more of him.
Thanks.

Alex, that worked out very well for both of us; did you hear how "hybridized" that music was, it wasn't hard-bop, or West Coast, but a combination of both, and a lot of things that sounded good. I'm sure I've got more of Sonny Criss in the collection.

His horn has that "far away" sound I've been trying to find, will continue the search.

Alex, I've been in a "Sonny Criss" groove, and I'm liking it; he's so comfortable with himself, and never tries to get out of recognized boundaries, he also likes to be surrounded by other jazz masters.

Back to the album "Criss Craft", the one with the boat on it, plus the "Isle of Celia". Allmusic gave it a review of 4 1/2 stars, which I agree with.


Sonny Criss - alto saxophone
Dolo Coker - piano
Ray Crawford - guitar
Larry Gales - bass
Jimmie Smith - drums


Those musicians play as if they could read each others mind; this music is an aficionados dream, it just flows from one cut to the next, with no desire to change any thing.



                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqyyyIO4ZlQ


The tone on his sax, and this group of musicians were made for this song.



Now for the vocal by Nancy Wilson


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clt-KRtGTUw


And the best music goes on.


Great links on this page guys, thanks.

With nearly 200 pages, I’ve got some catching up to do.

O-so Dorothy didn’t grow on you? I gave it another whirl(had to dig deep to find her) and like it a little more this time. It’s an album to mix things up, when doing a "straight ahead" session.

Having not heard Sonny before, I checked who played guitar on his albums. Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow, Joe Pass...I’m sure there’s more.
I’m adding him to my list. Great pick O...thanks.

This is why I will NEVER be able to stop collecting Jazz. Endless discovery and reason to keep my bin diving jumpsuit ready!

Sonny did a cover of "Angel Eyes." You may already have Ella’s version. If not, I strongly recommend you check out a particular version.
"Let No Man Write My Epitaph" is the soundtrack to a 1961 movie. Great movie by the way. This album is just Ella and piano. Seek out the MONO LP if you can.

One of those records, once the non believers hear, they understand what the fuss is all about. Serious music for your cart/phono stage.

My CD buying stopped in the 90’s, and its a modest collection of the usual suspects, similar to the DVD Jazz Icons collection. Complete with those "outakes/alternate version" discs...and Grant Green!

I noticed Lionel Hampton is one of the "Icon,selections." I played my CD with "Flying Home." 17:04 minutes at a volume to get the tubes cookin’

Haven’t found a clean copy of this gem...yet.

This morning with coffee-Tal Farlow peeling the frets off his guitar on a Concord label promo album.




I was just perusing some CD's debating whether or not to review them. I know Alex has been through the extensive review we did of Mary Lou Williams, but you might not be familiar with her works Tablejockey?

Since what I have lined up for review is "classic jazz" there's nothing else to question.

Mary Lou in or out?