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
 Do not forget perhaps the most creatively unique jazz album of all time; and to me its one of the finest  too.It's an album called Mysterious traveler by the group Weather Report.This was the album where the  sound of Weather Report began to gel and come together into the most unique sound in jazz.In fact,this album is so unique that it may take several spins before it starts to gel on you. Zawinuls keyboard arrangements are excellent and quite unforgettable,Wayne Shorter plays his saxophone in a very unique and unusual way, entering in and out as a team player, adding texture rather than virtuostic highlighting of his skills.Jaco Pastorius was the best on bass, check out "Cucumber Slumber".Even the quiet low key last track on side 2 which sounds like filler on first spin becomes something really ingenious on further listening.I have a rare white label LP promo copy,the rare SACD and am looking for the Nimbus Super Cut LP,if I can find a great copy for less than a hundred and a half.

Welcome supertweek, One small correction. Alfonso Johnson was still on bass during Mysterious Traveler. Jaco took over midway through Black Market. Great music!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3sBSHEivzs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDtx2LTDT5s
Yes, welcome supertweak! Great record, “Mysterious Traveller”. I like and agree with your descriptions of the record and the playing on it.

**** Do not forget perhaps the most creatively unique jazz album of all time ****

Pretty bold statement and while I would agree it is definitely one of the most creatively unique, I’m not sure I, personally, would say “the most of all time”.   Like other uniquely creative albums their uniqueness has everything to do with the time period. I prefer a broader context.

You mention Wayne Shorter, one of my very favorite jazz musicians and highly underrated as a composer as far as I am concerned. So much of his concept as a composer has shaped contemporary jazz. As a player, as you point out, I have found it fascinating how his playing has gotten more and more concise; say the most with fewer and fewer notes.

Great composer:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3XvJFW0DHbU

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fvRkGglLe-U

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z3qXILIfPuw
I should have written “under appreciated” instead of “underrated” composer (Wayne Shorter”)
Thanks for joining us supertweak.

Weather Report has been a favored band for me for years.  And while I realize personal experience can vary a great deal, and I do appreciate "Mysterious Traveler", was that really such a uniquely creative album to distinguish it from earlier WR albums?  Maybe I don't have sufficient musical knowledge to make such distinctions. :^(

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