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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
pryso
1,939 posts
 
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
frogman
7,472 posts
 
Good question, Rok. The one that always come to mind and my other favorite alto player, Charlie Mariano, but probably not enough of a star around the time KOB was recorded:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B-WOZA-sIJo

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5tqN5R0h-0o

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd-THvFsTbE

Great comments, pryso and I don’t disagree; and “reflection” is a better description.  Still....sometimes Cannonball’s “perkiness” seems a bit out of place for me.  
bluesy41
211 posts
 

If not Cannonball, maybe a young Joe Henderson or a Sonny Rollins. In either case I don't believe neither would of made KOB the album it is today. Cannonball worked extremely well with Coltrane, with their ability to exchange improvisational harmonic blows along with the mastery of Miles made KOB revered as the GOAT of jazz music.

Cheers

rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 

I agree with Pryso.  I didn't pick Cannonball because of his playing on KOB, but because of my perception of his personality.  He was the odd guy out. 

Miles was full of himself.   Didn't care if his audience 'got it' or not.  Thought he was the Lord's gift to Jazz.   Brilliant.  Same could be said of Trane.   Of course this is pre-Sinbad and  Space travel to Stellar Regions.

Cannonball was the opposite.  Check out how he often  gave a verbal introduction to his tunes.   He wanted his audience to be involved.   Had a lot of the Southern church in him.   You could find his music on Juke Boxes.   Brilliant.


Cheers

frogman
7,472 posts
 
Thanks all for the comments.  Can’t disagree with any of it.
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