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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
pryso
1,986 posts
 
Ah yes, Barbara.

I remember that Neil Diamond had lots of hits during the '70s and '80s and I thought he was OK (FM airplay, never bought any of his records).  Then he made a recording with Barbara (You Don't Bring Me Flowers -?) and a friend brought the CD over to hear on my system.  I thought she showed him up pretty badly.
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,529 posts
 
Charles Mingus - The Lost Tapes: Jazz in Detroit (1973) Live.
frogman
7,561 posts
 
My dear wife will occasionally, with amusement, bring up the subject of Agon in casual conversation.  I happened to tell her that I had posted that Streisand record.  Her response was “It takes a real man to post Barbra Streisand”.  Not quite sure how to take that 😊



frogman
7,561 posts
 
I think that drummers don’t get enough love. A notable exception here has been Joe Morello. Many listeners “endure” drum solos; sometimes with reason, but other times because, in the context of a tune, it’s a bit jarring for the listener to all of a sudden lose tonality and melody (in the usual sense). On this extremely swinging record Philly Joe Jones does an amazing job of, when its time to solo, not suddenly take the tune to another musical planet as often happens, but stays grounded in the feel of the tune. Love this record.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOAhcCb9en7BrHu6wfPmdcoCTCYiJV531

BTW, in honor of our OP and his love of Grant Green, I would point out that on this record, to me Grant Green sounds as good as I have ever heard.
pryso
1,986 posts
 
Hey frog, as you may guess from my past comments, I agree about drum solos.  There are many drummers I enjoy for their backbone support of the tune, but extended solos seldom "connect" for me.  Morello was a major exception.  To my uneducated ear his were often "musical" and therefore interesting in and of themselves.

Here's a related issue.  No idea how true this may be in other parts of the country but locally jazz groups I hear tend to let every musician solo on every number.  When it comes to drums and bass this is simply too much. And this from a bass fan who will often listen specifically to their lines.  But those are not instruments that are appropriate for such frequent solos in my opinion.  You don't hear that from Morello in every Brubeck Quartet number, so why would a lesser talent think they can pull it off?
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