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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
alexatpos
1,220 posts
 
Not many live footage of Grant Green is there to be seen, so hope you  all will like this one....trio, from 1969, apperently  never broadcasted on tv

...' This footage was recorded for French TV but was never broadcast. It is uncut and unedited ..Filmed in France - looks like The Olympia in Paris to me - with Larry Ridley on bass and Don Lamond on drums.'....

https://youtu.be/OdFYaK_nUCs
frogman
7,475 posts
 
nsp, I agree about Dexter’s distinctive style; he has always been a favorite.  He has always been known for having a very relaxed and “on the backside of the beat” style.  What I referred to previously was what happened toward the end of his career when the effects of all the years of drug use seemed to take over.  The same way that any person’s unique idiosyncharsies (not just musical) are often magnified by drug and acohol abuse, Dexter’s musical idiosynchrasies were magnified to the extent that he would seem to be playing to an entirely different beat than the rhythm section; far from “slightly”.  Still, one of the greats.

In answer to your question, Dexter’s main influences were Lester Young, Gene Ammons and Marshall Royal who was lead alto in the saxophone section of Lionel Hampton’s band that Dexter spent a lot of time with.  As an influence himself, Dexter’s most notable was John Coltrane.  A lot of similarities in their big wide open tone with edge which was a big departure from the softer edged tone of the swing tenor players.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,883 posts
 
Horace Silver
frogman
7,475 posts
 
Nice article, acman3.  Thanks.  And great clip!  Dexter was also known for being a prolific “quoter” of other tunes in his solos sometimes for humorous effect.  I counted at least four in his solo in that clip including his often quoted “Mona Lisa” and “Here Comes The Bride”.   I hear the Lockjaw connection.  

Great clip, Alex.



nsp
653 posts
 
frogman
Thanks! i would have never thought of Ammons and I don't know M Royal. "Relaxed" is a very good term to describe Dexter. And may I add a seemingly endless fountain of original ideas. Dexter is not my go-to tenor player for that era ( that would be Rollins, Henderson, Getz , Coltrane ) but every so often I pull out a Blue Note or Steeplechase by him , and sit back and enjoy the ride. It is too bad about his drug use I will have more to say on that subject later.
Nice cut acman3 posted and you are right there were 4 quotesby Dexter. I had to listen twice because the 1st quote happended at the beginning of his solo at about :57 sec..
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