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 Girl from Ipanema hits just the right place. Hardly anyone else could sing that better or more right than Astrud. I guess that the song selection gives Astrud certain power in voice expression. Meaning, not just any song could fit her. Yep, out of tune she is but she compensates that (up to some point but not always entirely, obviously) with the innocence and lightness in her voice. As if her voice is the voice of the little girl in grown ups world. Plus there is that off-key charm. She is off but you still like her. I wonder if she is aware of that out of tune singing. I wish that she is. Well, this is how I see her. The same is with the voice of Chet Baker. You say: what an awful singer he is. But let me hear him one more time...


It is not that I do not value an educated, flawless and highly trained voice but it is the originality, the uniqueness and the daring that I often appreciate even more.
mary jo I agree 100% with your last post. You do not have to be the perfect singer who can sing in any octave, perfectly on time, and in all genres of music and still sound great. How many vocalists truly possess this gift??


Your example of Astrud and your observation/conclusion of what she brings to the table as a vocalist is correct. Stan Getz knew what you know as soon as he heard her sing.


I didn’t know Stan Getz so I don’t know what he thought.
What I think is Astrud is a 1/2 half step above Diane Krall .How many process the gift ? Leaving out the EVERY octave I’d say about 10 million . Leaving it in about 2 million ,
there are languages that produce 1 in 10.


A recording off "All the Things you Are" of Krall was on jazz station in Mpls . last week . LITERALLY she sang not a note , soft wispered the entire thing , not a easy piece to begin with . Very sad .
Schubert,

Stan Getz went to Brazil to record with Joao Gilberto on the session that "The Girl From Ipanema" was recorded.

They were to rehearse while waiting a couple days for the "professional" vocalist to arrive. Stan suggested to Joao that his wife, Astrud, sing in her stead until she arrived. After hearing Astrud sing Stan told Joao to call the pro and tell her to stay home because Astrud's vocals were perfect for the Bossa Nova songs they were to record. Of course later, Stan had an affair with Astrud.


I read a great biography of Stan Getz. Apparently he was a real ladies man.