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
YouTube is unbelievable! When I posted the clips of bass clarinet players it didn’t even occur to me to see if these two records might be found on the site. I could not imagine that records this rare would be there...they are!

The first is by a clarinetist who is a legend in the NYC clarinet scene. A true renaissance man Ron Odrich is one of the country’s leading periodontists and great clarinetist (for fun) in a bebop/swing vein. Amazing individual.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wf7xSSIVrcQ

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NUCPbV2Dp3I

The other is someone who was discussed here recently. Eddie Daniels is probably the most accomplished woodwind “doubler” ever. Amazing player on saxophones, clarinets and flute. Has recorded with Freddie Hubbard, was a longtime member of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band and currently plays and records in both the jazz and classical genres as leader and soloist. Incredible instrumentalist. This clip is from his very rare first recording as a leader with guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli. Putting aside stylistic issues and preferences, of all the bass clarinet players posted so far this is the best bass clarinet playing from the point of view of instrumental skill and refinement; and he swings his as& off! This clip should put to rest the question of any limitations of the bass clarinet as an instrument for jazz (not the real pic of the album jacket) :

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_5cX_S04ed4

From the same record; same player (!). If you thought Dophy was a good flute player (he was), check this out; instrumentally, on an entirely different level:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv2Q2ivSA1A
pryso
Do you h ave info on when the blue notes you bought were pressed ?When were they purchased? I h ave been collecting blue note vinyl for decades and worse pressings had a completely blue label . But not all of them are bad. 

Eddie Daniels:

I think Mr Daniels "classical" training is beginning to show a little too much, considering he is supposed to be playing Jazz.  Brought to mind 'William Tell'.

Ron Odrich:

I make the same argument against this guy, that you make against Wynton..


Both excellent players and have surely mastered their instrument, however......

Cheers

Consider this:  Suppose the Violin had the same penetration, prominence and importance in classical music, that the Bass Clarinet has in Jazz.

There's your answer.

acman3
Nice clip.David S. Ware R.I.P. . Such a powerful original player .
He took the lineage of Coltrane and took it to the next level.Shipp,Parker&Brown His best group IMO.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KOFHYUBiplA