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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
acman3
4,265 posts
 
Nsp, All just wonderful!

frogman
7,457 posts
 
Yes! John Park on “Street Of Dreams” is amazing. I can’t believe I had never heard that cut. Just great. What a fantastic player! Thanks for that.

pryso, excellent post. “like an onion”; I like that and very apt. Why KOB remains popular is, for me, twofold. Its importance in shaping the direction of jazz is one and that doesn’t need any more documenting since so much has been written about that and the reasons why it did. The second reason is, imo, that in spite of the fact that “It’s not funky, doesn’t include a driving beat or something make the listener want to get up and dance. ”, the music is actually quite accessible. The harmonic simplicity of the modal tunes actually make it very accessible to the listener; as do the likewise “simple” melodies. An interesting byproduct of a compositional approach (modal) intended to give the soloist much more creative freedom of expression. That is part of the brilliance of the record; it has made for an easy introduction to “serious” jazz for many. Melodies and harmonic changes don’t get much simpler than that of “So What”, for instance. I would add a possible third reason to the mix. The interest in audiophile quality reissues which began about forty years ago or so put that record in the limelight again. The instrumental playing is, of course, as good as it gets.
acman3
4,265 posts
 
Hatch Chili Bratwurst,  corn on the cob, and baked beans for me.
frogman
7,457 posts
 
Nice!
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Pryso, since you can't believe it was well received, I have to question your taste in jazz, it's apparent you were not there; maybe that was before you discovered jazz. SE was the very hottest album after it's release.

"Somethin Else";

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 5/5 stars
The Penguin Guide to Jazz 4/4 stars[3]
Somethin' Else is a jazz album by saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, released on Blue Note Records in 1958. Also on the session is trumpeter Miles Davis in one of his handful of recording dates for Blue Note. Adderley was a member of Davis' group at the time this album was recorded. The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested "Core Collection.

When an album gets that high of a rating by professionals, without a doubt, maybe you should listen to it again.
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