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
**** 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.

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
frogman, That Ray Charles & Betty Carter rendition is fantastic as is the Carly Simon version posted by Orpheus.

That song seems to have a lot of beautiful renditions
Thank you Orpheus for the Caterina Valente links.

She certainly had a beautiful voice!
An added plus is that it’s a great sounding record.  Unfortunately, Ray’s records are not always that great sonically in my experience.  Not that it matters all that much since the music is always so strong. 

https://youtu.be/wB-KN4Ojjbk

https://youtu.be/-xBm5GRofeQ

With the great David “Fathead” Newman on tenor:

https://youtu.be/OLHKTZnfTbU