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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
frogman
7,561 posts
 
Beautiful “Every Time We Say Goodbye”,  pjw.  Incredibly tender playing from Chet.  You know, as I think about it, it’s really not at all surprising that Chet Baker was also a singer.  It has long been recognized that many of the great instrumentalist ballad players (some are better ballad players than others) listen and pay close attention to the phrasing of the great vocalists.  When I hear Chet play a ballad this way I feel as if he’s singing.  There is less of a disconnect between the horn and his physical being compared to other players who sometimes pay more attention to the mechanics of playing the horn.  Simple, direct and with vocal like inflections and timing.  Quite beautiful.  Thanks for that.  

This is one of my very favorite vocal renditions of that beautiful song from one of my desert island recordings:

https://youtu.be/qkXYqUB-9NM

orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Caterina Valente's music reminds me of the beautiful "Victoria Gomez". I sat behind Victoria in the 6th grade, and her long silky braids fell across my desk. Have you ever seen a puppy look at another dogs tail, and unable to control his fascination, he had to play with it?

I don't mean to compare Victoria's braids to a dogs tail, but there they were, laying across my desk; I could not control myself, I had to play with them.

She turned around and gave me a look that would curdle your blood. When you're in love, any look is better than no look at all.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jsw1R-TNUc


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxcjwdC1HlE


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


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iWO0b6PTxQ


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnpGtOhgc1o
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Betty Carter has such a beautiful voice, I love her and that song with Ray Charles.


The best version, or our favorite version of a song does not necessarily have anything to do with artistic merit, but when that song affected us personally, and who first expressed that emotion in the song.


Carley Simon did it for me on her album "Film Noir";


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtlyEE9QCUI


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQZmCJUSC6g&list=RDmQZmCJUSC6g&start_radio=1&t=71



frogman
7,561 posts
 
**** The best version, or our favorite version of a song does not necessarily have anything to do with artistic merit, but when that song affected us personally, and who first expressed that emotion in the song.****

A very personal call, obviously; and I wouldn’t assume that those criteria apply to everyone. Personally, I couldn’t say “does not necessarily have anything to do with artistic merit”. For me, for any version to be a favorite it has to meet a certain standard of artistic merit. That’s not to say that “most” artistic merit will make it my favorite; but a version lacking artistic merit is unlikely to be a favorite no matter the memories it may conjure up. Just me.

frogman
7,561 posts
 
Speaking of good ballad players and singers.  One of the great ballads players and one who had a penchant for reciting some of the lyrics of a song before playing it:

https://youtu.be/CrvWtdBOQW8
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