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, your musical knowledge is certainly not an issue, imo.  Even more importantly, your musical instincts are excellent, imo.  Having said that, I hope you are not suggesting that you consider all WR albums prior to MT to be on the same level of creativity; that would suggest that you don’t have a favorite.  You are correct that this sort of question seldom has a definitive answer and is subject to personal taste.  Are there any WR albums that you consider to be exceptional?

All those concerns aside, however, I would say that for whatever it may be worth MT is generally cited as, if not always the best, certainly one of the best WR albums.  For me it makes a clear move to a more structured (and, for me, interesting) compositional approach (the tunes are better) as opposed to the more liberal use of vamps for extended improvisations in earlier records.  This combined with the fact that this was the record that, as supertweak suggested, began Zawinal’s more prominent role in the band.  Great band whose music and playing, to be honest, I admired more than I liked.  Then, of course, is the fact that this was the last album before Jaco came aboard.  This changed the sound of the band in a big way.  So, best (whatever that is) or not, I think it is certainly a milestone of sorts. 

Thanks for the kind words frog.  I've not listened to some of my WR albums in some time so I need to give a re-do listen.  Off the top of my head I can't pick one I consider exceptional.  Favorite(s) may change depending on mood.  But I always considered Zawinal to have the prominent role in the band, although Jaco seemed to contribute a lot with both playing and writing once he joined.

I will say the only time I saw them live was after Jaco joined and that was an exceptional performance all 'round.
frogman
although I agree with supertweak that "Mysterious Traveler is creatively unique I really prefer the 1st three albums by Weather Report.  Although I may agree the tunes on MT had more structure I like the extended pieces on the earlier albums which breathe with more open space and emphasis on the  individual players and their interactions . My feeling is that as Zawinul became more prominent this element was lost. And also Shorters contributions seemed to fade with Zawinul's ascendancy.  I don't listen to "Heavy Weather " anymore. That was the album that. introduced me to the group but I feel my tastes have changed over time.
       As far as W Shorter in concerned I think he is under appreciated as a composer and saxophone player. Although he came up in the bebop era he forged a playing style so unique in the 60's with M Davis group. His probing never rushed solos which took advantage of space were unlike anyone at the time. It fit well with Davis who also used less  notes and used space within his solso to create a mood.
      And Idon't think Shorter gets enough credit for the compositions he wrote for Miles 60's group. I can't say enough abput this group and their move away from bebop which had dominated for almost 20 years. I am going back to that group to relisten to their output to gain new insights into the high level of  musicianship they created.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qeJ9NEyxk8I 
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xUC8NuiuXcs

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gZOoepKkpeI