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
Talk about 2 drug addicts who both  had a second chance on their careers- Frank Morgan & Red Rodney.. Can you elaborate on that story?  Was Rodney the only white band member and back in the 40's and 50's  in the South he couldn't travel and play with them unless he faked being black?
frogman
your impressions match mine.  Wow was that intro on Roney's live cut ragged. And yes he has copied Miles licks. All jazz players coming up listen to guys already established and copy them ...in the beginning. But most move on and find their own voice and style-That's the mark of being a jazz musician. Personal creativity and getting your own sound out of the instrument. But Roney has been on the scene for quite some time and I don't think he has  found or wants to find  his voice . But he has made a career of it .
E Henderson on the other hand does not ape Miles licks and this is very apparent on the live cut I included. His approach and phrasing are very much his own. i like Henderson's work in H Hancock's 70's band and he made several albums in the 70's which I really liked but unfortunately no longer have.