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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
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Pjw, I'm glad you're back recounting some of your happier experiences.


I visited Cap Haitien when I was in my early 30's. We rode what are called "half asses" up the mountain to the Citadel at the top. What impressed me more than anything was the voodoo rhythms that are fused into the people, not the "dippy" music they're playing on this video.

We reached an open area beside the path to the top, and stopped for beer the guide brought along (can't drink the water) There were about 7 kids playing in this clearing (ages 12 to 8) One of them was beating out voodoo rhythms on the back of a steel shovel that a work crew had left, while the others danced. I drank Heinikens, and became spellbound by the rhythms this kid was getting with a rock in each hand beating on the back of a steel shovel while the other kids danced. They moved like those dolls hung on rear view mirrors, as if their bodies didn't have bones. They were not putting on a show, this is what they did to amuse themselves.

I tried to find the same rhythms at a record store there, but only found some "dippy" island music, it was as if the powers that be were ashamed of the "people's music".



      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sii1hyBO_uA


        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadelle_Laferri%C3%A8re


      https://www.nbc.com/classic-tv/miami-vice/video/tale-of-the-goat/n30566
skyscraper
836 posts
 
Got four new Coltrane CD's' via Amazon during the past week. Starting to listen to "Both Directions at Once" right now. The first two tracks are spectacular.

Monk and Coltrane at Carnegie Hall was amazingly good too, and much better than expected. I thought they'd be the Monk/Coltane studio releases from a while way back which were more Monk than Coltrane. Night and day on the Carnegie Hall concert. Coltrane shines and steals the show with his inventive playing.. Both albums nicely recorded, the latter taking advantage of Carnegie Hall's excellent acoustics.  

"Bahia" an earlier Prestige era recording was lovely to listen to too, More mellow and sweet maybe than the above two. Black Pearls from the same period was good, although not up to the standards of the other three. Others must have commented on these four before, but I couldn't help wanting to share this listening experience. 

Mike
pjw81563
1,835 posts
 
frogman,

The various bands that "made the rounds" on the beach for donations all played some beautiful rhythmic African sounding music that was easy to dance too (which we did). I also heard many songs that sounded similar to the song in your original post.


I like adventure and had a great time although Fabiola's younger male cousins and nephews were always getting sick but kept drinking the beer I was buying for the simple reason they could not afford beer so were "drinking it up" since Fabiola and I paid for everything including food, tipping the bands and bottled water as well as the beer.


Many of the ensembles featured a "puppet master" who had a carved wooden puppet that they made dance to the music they played. I purchased 2 large (about 20 inches tall) hand carved wooden statues for 5 dollars each which I still have.
frogman
7,561 posts
 
**** and brought the blues. ****
Yes they did, O-10; as a major influence.  “Brought the blues” is an oversimplification.

**** American slaves lost the African rhythms, ****
No, they did not.  What you consider “distinctive African rhythms” are also a major influence in what would develop into what we think of as “swing” feel.  
O-10, there is a tremendous amount of documentation and literature on these very interesting topics.  I suggest you read some of it; it’s very interesting and enlightening.  With respect, you are thinking about and approaching this stuff in much a too broad and simplistic fashion.

INFLUENCE INFLUENCE INFLUENCE 
pjw81563
1,835 posts
 
Skyscraper Mike,

I have just about everything Coltrane ever recorded as a leader and sideman and those albums you mentioned are all very good. Here is one of my favorites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5QGBHavF0U

And a few more:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ9Y0oS0lyo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9uJOJgK_LA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv5j_Lx2R4g

More to discover