2. music
  3. 1361722327

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
nsp
653 posts
 
mary_jo
I remember Dusko Goykovich from a big band he was in from the latye 60's -early 70's. Aptly named tune "Ballad For Miles" as he sounds so much like Miles. It sounds like it could have been recorded by Miles during his Prestige period in the 50's.  A nice homage.
On a similar note these two trumpet players have been criticized by Jazz writers in the past for sounding a lot like Miles' pre-jazz/rock period. Anyone have any thoughts on this...fair or unfair?
Wallace Roney
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2CHb_23SriY

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6sThHsnSCrE
Eddie Henderson
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SosWkzZX6lg

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h4mYgOZZb2Q
 
pryso
1,933 posts
 
nsp, I read that too quickly and thought you suggested Red Rodney. ;^)

There's a story that when he toured Southern states with Charlie Parker he was called Albino Red to get around local laws for segregation.  Not sure if that's true but it sounds believable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeFFVjFI2VM
frogman
7,457 posts
 
nsp, totally fair. They both do sound a lot like Miles. However, in the case of Henderson I feel he is bringing some of his own stuff to the table; the jazz is on a higher level. Many players sound a lot like Miles, or Coltrane, or Bird, and they still bring something unique to their own style. In the case of Wallace Roney, to my ears he is trying very hard to sound Iike Miles.and very little more. It takes a lot of balls to play Blue In Green almost exactly the way Miles played it. Problem is he is not nearly the player Miles was and his instrumental control, as in the intro on the live cut, is very rough. It leaves me the feeling of “what’s the point?”. He sounds ok on the more aggressive and faster tempos, but the slow intro to the tune sounds downright bad, imo. He’s learned a lot of Miles’ licks. His band’s playing, including the tenor player, is not on a particularly high level, imo.
frogman
7,457 posts
 
pryso, it is true. When I lived in Fla I got to know Ira Sullivan a little bit and he confirmed that story.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aQsEicb4x74
pryso
1,933 posts
 
frog, thanks for that confirmation.  This is from the only album I have by Rodney and Sullivan.

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


More to discover