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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
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,964 posts
 
I prefer early Sinatra as groggy describes as well. And yes dean Martin is the one of that bunch that most often makes me smile.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Thanks guys, confirms what I thought.
Namely, that I downgrade performers more than most if I don't like their persona.
I won't even listen to Wagner because I loathe him as a person.
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Now Schubert I would only say this. Imagine, if you can, that you are a teenage girl and you and your girl friends are in the audience at the Paramount in the early 40's listening to your idol, Frank Sinatra swooning "Night and Day". Are you ever going to forget it? Would you care whether anyone else cares what is important to you?

Whether you like Sinatra or not for whatever reason one thing is undeniable, the man worked hard at his craft and promoted it by whatever means necessary. As time went by he became a better musician because of it and he has to at LEAST be given credit for that especially after all the obstacles he encountered, divorcing his wife and the disfavor of the public after that. Me? I think he has nothing more than an average range but is the master of phrasing musically and self promotion and delusion (of the masses) at worst. One can thank Dolly for that, but what are mother's for? Ask all those American Idol participants.

Sinatra is more than about his voice, it's about the American Dream, how even mediocrity can elevate itself to something special in it's own unique way.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Tubegroover, your last paragraph is as true as true gets and EXACTLY why I dislike him.
Chasing the American Dream makes the American Nightmare.

P. S I don't have to imagine the Paramount in the 40's, I was in it then.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Frogman, thanks for the link, I don't even know how to do it.
And he was an old man then. There was another clip on the right of Mel singing with his quartet decades earlier.
At one point his piano player gets slightly ,and I do mean SLIGHTLY , behind and Mel instantly synchs to him , It was so fast I had to watch it 4 times to be sure I was hearing what I saw.
IMO, Torme could constantly improvise without changing the intent , either in lyrics or tune, of the composer in a way I never heard anyone else do.
I fully understand why folks think of him as just another crooner. you have to listen to him as closely as you would a Mozart concerto to grasp just how great he was.
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