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 .... I have no idea what you mean by your reply to my post.

Anyway ..... getting back to the OP's original query about "must have" jazz albums...... I was four years old by the end of 1959, so I certainly don't remember these albums when they were first released. However, when I got my first "real stereo" in 1981 (Yamaha receiver, B & O Beogram 3404 table, and Mission 717 speakers), my Dad told me it was time to learn about jazz. Sure, he understood my taste in music during my high school and college days of the 1970's, and often paid for my purchases of records by Dylan, the Dead, the Allman Brothers, CSN&Y, Loggins & Messina, the Beatles, the Stones, Deep Purple, Moody Blues, etc., etc. ..... but he said that now that I had a "really good stereo system," I should start listening to jazz.

He immediately bought me my first jazz record, an Illinois Jacquet album, and then told me about the "four great records" of 1959. So, it was with records like "Kind of Blue" and "Time Out" that started me on my long love affair with small ensemble acoustic jazz. I just turned 59, and although my system is better than it was in 1981, and my music collection has expanded to almost 2000 records and CD's, I'll never forget the first time the needle hit the groove on the classic jazz albums of 1959. I'm still loving those great tunes by Miles, Brubeck, Mingus and all the boys. Thanks a lot Dad !
Not released until 1960, but recorded mostly in 1959, Coltrane's "Giant Steps" would change everything
Incredible album Frogman .... I agree. Fantastic body of music ! I'm sure you're aware that, although "Giant Steps" was John Coltrane's debut recording for Atlantic Records as a group leader, he was concurrently performing and recording with Miles Davis. Did you know that within the space of less than three weeks, Coltrane would complete his work with Miles , Cannonball Adderly, Jimmy Cobb, and the rest of the boys on "Kind of Blue," before commencing his efforts on this one. Pretty awesome stuff !
****Incredible album.....****

Yup! The tune "Giant Steps" would literally be a giant step for improvisers on all instruments; an amazing test of a player's ability to make music over an incredibly complex chord progression like never seen before. Even the great Tommy Flanagan struggles with the changes when he solos. He is tentative from the very beginning and one gets the feeling that he is saying "what the f&%k?", and by 3:30 simply gives up and just comps them. Hard to say wether they planned it this way, but Coltrane then takes over again like the phenom he was and finishes what should have been Flanagan's
solo. Amazing stuff!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xr0Tfng9SP0