Rok, the reason I keep going back to the 2015 jazz poll is because I'm trying to refute my own thesis that good jazz is no longer being created.
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.
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.
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Indeed a crime, Schubert. Strassmeyer is very fine; and you’re right, being a good doubler is a requirement for membership in a band with a repertoire like theirs which runs the gamut. Speaking of Frank Wess, Maria Schneider, doubling and new Jazz. This tenor is one of the most interesting of the new (ish) crop of players on the scene. Member of Schneider’s band, he is an incredible multi instrumentalist who was taken under his wing by Frank Wess. Can play styles old and new at the highest level. Plays many unusual and exotic instruments, but tenor is his primary horn. Instruments as exotic as his wardrobe 😊. A bit like James Carter in that his tone concept is traditional, but can play very modern harmonically. Check out Frank Wess’ expressions while he listens to Scott. No doubt in that old master’s mind whether Scott can play or not. Frank Wess was 87! when this was done. I hope I can still pick my nose at 87: https://youtu.be/YtY4WeNEQy8 |
What gets me with Wess in that clip is he still seems to not have lost his nuance factor which is remarkable at his age ,don’t have to cut any slack for him! If WDR ever calls for you (very likely) don’t forget to see the Cologne Cathedral(Dom) , near their studio and likely the most beautiful church in the world . |
I found something in "Vocals" on the jazz critics page; Charenee Wade, Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson. Acman pointed me in that direction and I like it a lot; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMGME3Bvy9Y Gil Scott was an idealist who made social commentary in a style that is now called "Rap", but I'm sure he wouldn't want to be called the first rapper. "Rap" is totally disgusting when compared to Gil Scott's social commentary; Rap is low life, but it is what it is, it's what life is about when you sell dope, rap or starve; look at Detroit, Cleveland, and a host of other cities. That's what life is about when all the jobs are shipped out to another country. Gil Scott was before the working man had come to that state. He was about preventing what we see now. While some were left behind during his time, the "American Dream" was still alive and well; Detroit, Chicago, (even the South Side) and a host of other cities were great places to live; this was in the late 60's and early 70's. There is a song that paints a picture of a young working man's heaven, it's called "Summer Breeze"; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T88fbHOmvRk See the curtains hangin' in the window In the evening on a Friday night A little light a-shinin' through the window Lets me know everything's all right Summer breeze makes me feel fine Blowin' through the jasmine in my mind Summer breeze makes me feel fine Blowin' though the jasmine in my mind See the paper layin' on the sidewalk A little music from the house next door So I walk on up to the doorstep Through the screen and across the floor If that same young man was living in that same house, he would be living in an uninhabitable crime ridden, dope driven neighborhood; that's what it is today. |
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