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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
schubert
7,386 posts
 
frog , re Still .I worked with a guy who was a student of Still .
According to him one of the first things Fritz did when he got to Chicago was to fire Ray . After first few rehearsals he knew Ray was the anchor of the band and would remain so .Kaiser Reiner would have none of this .Thank God the union went to court and Ray got his job back .
pjw81563
1,835 posts
 
nsp, I have about a half dozen discs of live at Smalls sessions. Off the top of my head the 2 Peter Bernstein sessions are really good. I have never been to Smalls.

https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Bernstein-Quartet-Live-Smalls/dp/B004O0VDEO/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=peter+b...

https://www.amazon.com/Bernstein-Goldings-Stewart-Live-Smalls/dp/B005TMGY6I/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=pete...

The price on the second disc is ridiculous. Good thing I bought it when it was first released.
nsp
654 posts
 
frogman
There is no doubting Sinatra's talent but I think he exhibited a swagger or cockiness in his singing that some may not like. And he was not always the best interpreter of a tune. Case in point : Sinatra and Bennett performing Body and Soul :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ls9rNtD_Ms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6I4MNubkUQ

Myvote goes to Tony hands down, which do you and other members like?



























schubert
7,386 posts
 
You know mine .
I saw a show , PBS I believe, where it showed everybody with him as they made his "Duo" recording .
IMO by far the best song was with Aretha . As it ended, he paused and then said to her softly "Was that good" ? She rolled some music up and smacked him over the head as she said something like "you know dam well it was " .In a loving way of course .
He was very kind to everyone on that in a manner that could not be faked .Was even nicer to those who had less talent as he did his best by them as well as he did with great stars .

A  True National Treasure  in every way .          And a hell of a painter !
frogman
7,562 posts
 
Agree completely. There is an expression used by musicians when speaking of a player’s sound and of certain equipment’s sound that says “it’s (he/she) got the smile in the sound”. For me, Bennett has the smile in his sound; a certain feeling of joy of singing that seems to come from the heart. Now, I certainly am not in a position to know what was in Sinatra’s heart, but whatever it was it seldom made me smile. I realize that “Body and Soul” is a song that speaks about loneliness, but still.... Moreover, and along the lines of Schubert’s story re Bennett/Aretha and Mary-Jo’s “controlled” studio environment comment, listen to Sinatra’s singing beginning around 3:30 and especially when he sings “surrender”. Terribly out of tune. No producer or md would have had the audacity to say, as is normal, “Hey, Frank, I think you’re a little flat; try it again”. Speaks volumes.
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