https://youtu.be/qgdn9DIdLkE
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.
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acman3, I found that Betty Carter album "Feed The Fire" on Amazon and ordered it. Here is a review from Amazon: Lionel Hampton nicknamed her "Betty Bebop" way back when--and the soul of bebop was alive and kickin' in Betty Carter when this 1993 live set was recorded at London's Royal Festival Hall. It's a kind of dream date, with Carter accompanied by pianist Gerri Allen, bassist Dave Holland, and drummer Jack DeJohnnette. So what I want to say is: "Wow." I guess that's not a very articulate critical observation, but as Carter (a sizzling scat singer) knows, sometimes words just aren't enough to say what needs to be expressed. Some jazz singers (like Billie Holiday or Shirley Horn) don't stray too far from the melody in their improvisations, but Carter takes off and flies like the great bebop sax/horn players. The arrangements on these 10 songs sometimes deliberately downplay the melodies--like a mysteriously beautiful "Lover Man" that Billie Holiday would never recognize. Slowed almost to a standstill and built around a piano figure that echoes Herbie Hancock's "Maiden Voyage," the words are familiar, but the tune is almost undetectable. Carter's up to something else altogether, and makes spine- tingling music. --Jim Emerson |
I ordered a Betty Carter compilation album titled "Betty Carters Finest Hour" On the album cover it says all you need to know about Betty's unique vocal style: "She forever transformed the singers role in small jazz ensembles to that of a fully participating improvising member" Here is one of the songs on the disc, a duet with Carmen McRae: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF6ihKz4NbA |
Kenny Burrell: I have that CD. Probably the last Jazz 'Christmas' music I have bought, or will buy. No matter how good the playing, it just does not get me in the Christmas mood. I have Jazz Christmas CDs by Wynton, Oscar and Burrell. But I seldom play them at Christmas. There are always exceptions: (DVD) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XIjGei8zG8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5j5XjbhuTo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbIAEKQ7GmY&list=RDZbIAEKQ7GmY&start_radio=1 Cheers |
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