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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
pjw81563
1,829 posts
 
nsp,

"But he still sounds to me more like a rock drummer than a jazz drummer."

I agree. However his 3 biggest influences and idols were Art Blakey, Max Roach, and Elvin Jones.On the duet he does with Blakey his expression says it all. It was like a dream come true for him. Of the 3 influences he does sound more like Blakey then Jones or Roach. Blakey has a tendency to "pound aggressively" on the skins as does Baker but Baker tries to "break the skins" on almost every session whereas Blakey occasionally sounds this way and has a softer touch and feel which meshes better in the jazz genre.
pjw81563
1,829 posts
 
pryso,

I liked the Monk piece a lot. I own a lot of Monk recordings but not that one. One of the commenters below the video is a musician and gave a link to a piece he wrote. I think its really a nice piece of work.
Here is the comment and link:

The man who arranged these marvelous arrangements is Hall Overton who was also my teacher at the Juilliard School which of course I am highly grateful for. I however had to study Bartok and Stravinsky and not Monk. He instead inspired me to write this piece. click on link then click "go to site"

https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amrod.de%2Fmp3%2Fhomage-to-monk.mp3&redir_to...
pryso
1,941 posts
 
pjw, more Monk arranged by Overton?  Hope you have this one then -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yxfJZ7RhTo&list=PLp1OjP0tJn_GkWoUjFr2PGqZhKqd5s_1p
pjw81563
1,829 posts
 
frogman, 
"enjoyed the story re Lou Donalson. And like his playing a lot. Nice clip with the little talked about Tommy Turrentine, brother of Stanley. I like the other alto player you met that night also"

Thanks, unfortunately I think Lou’s age finally caught up with him. I’ve not seen him live since 2015.

Gary Bartz plays very well. I recently purchased this disc which is 2 recording sessions on one disc for a great price:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000DFI5/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

orpheus10,
"pjw, I liked your story about Lou Donaldson, he was my first favorite jazz artist, and I have been following him every since; he also likes to play with some of my other favorite artists; like Baby Face Willette and Grant Green."

Thanks Orpheus. Lou’s getting old as I mentioned above as I think he hit the 90 mark in age and has not been playing live in recent years. He loves to be a comedian in between songs and I always enjoyed seeing him perform. I pray his health is ok as I pray for you as well.
pjw81563
1,829 posts
 
pryso,

"pjw, more Monk arranged by Overton?  Hope you have this one then"
No I have 15 Monk discs all with quartets or quintets and 5 live small group sessions as well.

I added those Monk big band sessions to my bucket list of discs to buy.
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