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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
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,312 posts
 
@nsp
You are very welcome. I love the tone of bass clarinet. Much preferred over the standard B-flat instrument. I played both years ago...not very well, mind you. Wish I’d taken opportunities with the bass clarinet more seriously; "Youth is wasted on the young"...a poster child here.

Anyway, other than Dolphy and now Tim Garland (multi-instrumentalist in a late incarnation of Bruford’s "Earthworks") who else is there to check out?

BTW - am familiar with Soft Machine.  Got a boxed set of several CDs (Amazon UK).  Had 5 years ago.  That is still the one I appreciate the most.

Pryso - Herbie Mann...gosh only thing I know of him is that hot disco flute sound he had going in the ’70s. I’ll quickly confess to being more of a jazz dilettante than aficionado...but a committed one! Don’t tell O (actually, I already have). Where is that cat anyway?!

Random Acts of Happiness is very good. Excellent compositions and musicianship. Sonics are exceptional...especially given it is a live recording. Another Bruford I recently found and bought: If Summer Had It’s Ghosts (Bruford/Towner/Gomez). Worth checking out but no bass clarinet on this one...no reeds. Different style than Random Acts. Whatcha do get is some great piano by Ralph Towner! (along with his always excellent acoustic guitar work). His piano work kind of surprised me...it’s very good; I didn’t realize he was that accomplished. Also, starting to be become a bit of a Eddie Gomez fan. Love his nimble, melodic work on this album. He’s well recorded on it too.

Frogman - your input always valued. Bruford fired his original reed player to give Garland a spot. Quality will tell, I guess. Will have to check out the Dolphy performance. He is still a stretch for me but I admire the heck out of him. Maybe one day he’ll click for me.

Thanks to all for the comments and input.
alexatpos
1,216 posts
 
Frogman, great recordings. There is one other allbum with rerording that is ’rediscoverd’ that I have posted here,not so long ago, with both W. Kelly and W.Montgmery, in case you have missed it.

’Smokin’ in Seattle’ from 1965.
https://youtu.be/Msz2RO-mwq8

Ghosthouse, here are two albums that Herbie Mann recorded with Bobby Jaspar, I like them both

’Flute Souffle’ from 1957.
https://youtu.be/o7LwCm0iXR4

’Flute flight’ also from that year, little bit different line up
https://youtu.be/l_baETClbqA

...and perhaps, something very different, Herbie Mann with Bill Evans

’Nirvana’ from 1961.
https://youtu.be/Fjab84IfpR8
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 

Have you guys hacked my Amazon account?  I got this a few days ago, along with the three CDs of Monk: The London Collection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1BcOq_tbpo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pksfz8uycLk

This was recorded in Holland about 4 weeks before Dolphy died in Berlin of Insulin shock.  Too much insulin in the blood. (low blood glucose coma).

The rhythm section is a French group.

The bass Clarinet sounds ok, I like it in classical music, but in Jazz it sounds like an anemic Sax.   I don't see the purpose of it in Jazz.   Same with the Violin.

Now, this guy can play the Flute.  None of that  spitting and sputtering and buzzing stuff here.   The tone is perfectly round and clear.  Very good.

My over all  impression was that this was just something to do while in Europe.   He stayed over after the tour with Mingus, to be with his fiancée.   He should have kept Mingus' rhythm section.

Cheers

nsp
653 posts
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQZ1c3ixoa4 rok2id
2 Nice cuts from Dolphy. I don't think I have this album. Yes it was a pick up date but it's pretty much all about Eric. Great musician gone way too soon. Played and recorded with both Mingus and Coltrane and a few solo dates. I recommend Dolphy's The Illinois Concert w/Hancock . I have to disagree with your assessment of bass clarinet in jazz- it has a great tonality and goes deeper than a clarinet. Probably just a matter of taste. You are right about his flute playing. I don't always like flute playing in jazz but Dolphy is great.




nsp
653 posts
 
ghosthouse
Here is Bob Mintzer playing bass clarinet on a chesky cd release "the Body Acoustic". Nice cd which is drummerless allowing all players to be heard clearly. It defies categorization not jazz not rock . It sets up a groove and is mellow. Mintzer plays bass clarinet on all cuts.I tried to play clarinet as a youth with no success it's tough to get a sound out of that instrument. I play piano now. More to follow.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kvTgUA3Nfck

Also check out Marcus Miller live concert
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hql_zpc2OTE

Another Bob Mintzer bass clarinet live cut:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qVc_cmvMVme
More to discover