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
@pryso 

Yes...I hear the same thing.  Very different styles (not to mention different "voices").  To my ear, Sarah's voice is more complex with more character.  Acman's link further underscores that.  She tends to slide into pitch on some notes, I noticed, whereas, in addition to that dictional clarity, Ella is a little more directly on pitch.

Didn't know the manner of Sarah Vaughan's passing or I might have looked for a different adjective.  Wiki says Summertime is one of the most heavily "covered" popular songs.  Would be interesting to continue the exercise to include versions by others.  I saw Nina Simone, Billie Holliday and Maria Callas all did versions of it.  Janis too!

Ciao
  
Nature abhors a vacuum....
So, in the absence of anyone posting, I’ll take the opportunity to post this bit of musical excellence:   Bruford/Towner/Gomez "If Summer Had Its Ghosts", Track 2 Never the Same Way Once.  
Best I can tell from the All Music Guide credits that’s Ralph Towner on piano (who knew!)

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

Ella vs Sarah:


It's Ella, and it's not even close.   Replace Sarah with ANY other singer, singing ANY other song, and the result is the same.

Ella in a class by herself is one of the few things, that, all music folks should agree.


Cheers