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
Thanks for your comments on Trane and SOS (😉), pryso.  As I mentioned I have been revisiting KOB lately; not that very much time ever goes by without listening to it.  What a great record and deserving of all the notoriety!  Too bad that George Russell does not always get credit for inspiring this music.  There is a certain mood throughout the record that to me is a little mysterious and melancholic even in the uptempo tunes.  Nothing is perfect, but this record is nearly perfect.  Of course, and as always, our own individual tastes and points of reference dictate our reactions to artists.  There is one aspect of KOB that has always been like a little voice in my head saying “if only Miles had chosen X player instead”.  This is a very subjective observation and reaction and surely there will be disagreement.  

There is one player in that record’s amazing lineup that, as great as his playing is, plays in a style and with a mood that somehow doesn’t always quite fit into that feeling of mystery and melancholy that permeates the record.  To be clear, if forced to choose, I would probably pick this same player as my all-time overall favorite on his particular instrument.  Yet, on this record when he plays his musical persona seems to cause a change in mood (hint...somewhat less so on the uptempo tunes) that I’m mixed about.  Some listeners would consider this a good thing and another example of Miles’ genius when choosing a lineup.  Sometimes I appreciate the change in mood and sometimes I don’t. Wondering if anyone has a similar reaction.  No right or wrong.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qNcPwrfK9tY


I remember a few years back, when the discussion was, The Best Jazz LP of all time.   The contenders were 'KOB' and 'Something Else'.   Miles and Cannonball play on both LPs.


If not Cannonball on KOB, then who?

Cheers

Well frog, rok beat me to it but the answer seemed pretty obvious.

Interesting about personal perspectives as always. KOB does convey a sense of mystery for me as well, but rather than melancholy I get a feeling of reflection. The word melancholy I relate to sadness while reflection is more of a sense of realization. Just the same, a very interesting point about Cannonball’s nature not fitting the mold feeling of the album, yet his contributions are (for me) indispensable. In all these years of listening I never ask myself about a change in Miles’ line up. ;^)

Considering Cannonball’s personality, he always seemed to me to find the fun in whatever music he played. Even a song with dour implications in the title like "Sack O Woe" may still be bluesy but not down -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6rU-4za3EQ