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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
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Thanks, O-10.
A little older Cassandra does another "Caravan" that runs 9.50m at 32nd Jazz de Vitoria Fest, an outstanding video where her sidemen put on a master-class on improvisation !
frogman
7,561 posts
 
One more:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Vw5r7-vgs

One from the 1%.  From the great Bob Mintzer, tenor/arrangement, by way of Stuttgard:

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



orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Pryso, maybe my caravan fantasy has come to the end of it's line; I couldn't find any music to move it along, but hopefully you did.

Lew Tabackin, "Desert Lady" is quite interesting, possibly in the mold of the Sahara Desert.


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

                   
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTp9mjI04kM


       
schubert
7,386 posts
 
WOW, nothing like a big band !
For those who might not know SWR stands for South West Radio in German , English too come to think of it .One thing that puzzles me about Jazz recordings is they seldom list the arranger, who often is the major element in the recording .
Frogman , I’d be surprised if Kenny D had not played a bit of Bach in his time, what a great player ! I’m going to hit Amazon for him .
frogman
7,561 posts
 
I agree about arranger credits; common and unfortunate oversight (?). Case in point: the Blakey clip that pryso recently posted features a fantastic arrangement by Freddie Hubbard. I don’t think that this is credited on the LP at all. Another example: perhaps a result, in part, of a bygone era when the orchestra leader was often also the de facto arranger, but was credited on the album cover as simply and for example: "Frank Sinatra With Billy May And His Orchestra". As you say the arranger is a major element in the recording; sometimes the major element.

Very astute comment re Kenny Drew Jr. Son of the Kenny Drew he began as a Classical pianist and has indeed performed quite a bit of Bach.

Not exactly definitive but as you point out he certainly understands Bach:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=28JU935pF7E
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