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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
 
****  Is there something that you don't like about his output since 2000? ****

Not at all.  To be frank, I have not followed his output as closely in recent years; post Phil Woods.  
nsp
654 posts
 
guys all good vids on Harrell. I have a number of older lps he did with  P Woods and submit this as one of the better ones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcvjRddmeOk
nsp
654 posts
 
frogmanLike you I did not follow Harrell's career/output much after his stint with Woods until I found "Light On" . That is going to change.
pjwIf you like "Number Five" I suggest these cd's with the same group:Light  OnThe Time of The SunRoman NightsI know you like  Jimmy Greene check out Harrell's Live at the Village Vanguard it also features Xavier Davis on piano.
Also "Infinity"'  w/ guitar , M Turner on sax , J Blake on drums , no piano
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ojmh44P7PY 
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpvWq9r2W-M
pjw81563
1,834 posts
 
nsp thanks I purchased "Roman Nights" a month or so back when we were discussing Harrell here. A very fine session.  

I have 16 Phil Woods discs (a couple have Harrell on Trumpet). MY favorite right now has been "Images" with Phil Woods and the Michel Legrand Orchestra. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lIAy3WIRuM
frogman
7,561 posts
 
Great record, pjw. Blast from the past; hadn’t listened to that in years. Thanks. If forced to choose my favorite of all his records, this other one would have to be it. Personally, I feel this period of time was his peak as a player:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvxWibFr0wiK1yRCnxmn2m_ywGy3FVvqE

For a look at his formidable composition and arranging skills:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_BXwixw5da5BqikO7MXj-rYiHbHgYQtA

Something that sometimes goes under the radar about Phil Woods is his skill as a lead alto player. A very specific skill. There are a lot of great alto players who don’t make good lead players in a large ensemble:

https://youtu.be/7uhUZYSQZVg

I posted this a while back. One of my favorite things on YouTube with Phil. A great peek into the man, his personality and his life in the music scene. Fabulous stories and anecdotes; especially about Bird and Mingus:

https://youtu.be/6SJxmCzYpoo

Re an earlier discussion about “borrowing” musical ideas, check out the intro to “Willow Weep For Me” on the first link (Musique Du Bois). Sound familiar? Just one more of the countless examples of the tremendous influence a certain recording had on jazz. Hint: Phil Woods did NOT play on this extremely influential recording. Any takers?


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