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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
1,933 posts
 
o10, I have a couple of songs with emotional attachments to women in my life when I was younger, but those are far removed from jazz.  However encouraged by mary_jo's post I will offer this one, which is closer to jazz because of the artist, if not the song itself.

But an introduction is needed to appreciate the meaning.  Some of you will remember my previous mention of my introduction to jazz by my dad.  At the time he died my folks had moved back close to my sister so she could watch over them.  So when we discussed a memorial service with the minister he didn't know dad and ask for some background on his life.  One thing mentioned was his love of jazz and his favorite musician being Louie Armstrong.

The minister did a credible job at the memorial, but he surprised us all when he referenced dad's love of Satchmo and then brought out a guitar and softly sang "It's A Wonderful World".  That was certainly a capper to the service.  The song brings me a flood of great memories, but my sister can't bear to hear it now. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlDgQOd3p-0
nsp
653 posts
 
frogman
I've always felt indifferent to scat singing-like what's the point? But those two cuts you posted changed my mind. Ella uses her voice to improvise just as any instrumentalist..  Especially the second cut- when she is trading back and forth you can hear the saxophone player pick up on HER phrasing and go with it in his answer each and every time.  Great stuff.
BTW thanks for Red Rodney article. So he didn't fool the blacks as "Albino Red" but he didn't have too. I don't think he fooled the bigoted whites either , just appeased them.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

That was a very touching story Pryso, and I imagine Satchmo and your father were on a higher plane looking down at the services; I can't think of a more appropriate ending.

Thanks for sharing.
frogman
7,457 posts
 
Glad you enjoyed those clips, nsp. They’re pretty great, as you say. That kind of vocal prowess is rare and your observations are right on.  Another aspect of Ella’s scatting that separates her from most other sigers who try to scat is that, while some singers can handle fast tempos (sort of), Ella actually makes the (harmonic) changes! Most singers fake it and simply stay (mostly) in the key of the song, but Ella actually vocalized phrases that clearly outlined the changing harmonies of the tune; the way a good horn player would. Almost unheard of from most singers. Not many could keep up with this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mo1RS707yxo

mary_jo
1,525 posts
 
Thank you pryso for sharing. Similar was here but with a different song. I understand your sister, that music will ’haunt' us for a long period of time.
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