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
**** You don’t seem like a fan of him as I don’t recall you commenting on his ability as an artist whether good or bad. To me, no reply one way or the other, is a polite way of letting someone know its not your cup of tea. ****

pjw, I appreciate your passion, but be careful with your assumptions as you are mistaken with this one, as far as concerns me, anyway.  I like Lou Donaldson very much.  If you must know, besides simply making the choice to use one’s usually limited time to comment/post  in a way that I (!) feel makes the most productive and hopefully interesting contribution to the thread, the reason that I sometimes don’t comment on an artist is that the artist has been discussed previously; sometimes, several times previously.  I suspect that I am not the only one here that feels the same way.  You are relatively new to the thread and are probably not aware of all the instances of this.  In fact, if I am not mistaken, I was the first to post Sweet Lou here.  Another great example of this is the recent commentary on Grant Green.... discussed many, many times; to the point of arguments, unfortunately.

Now, please don’t misunderstand.  I am, IN NO WAY, suggesting that that there is ANYTHING wrong with revisiting any one artist; even may times over.  God knows, some of these great players deserve even more attention and commentary.  Personally, however, I SOMETIMES attempt to comment in a way that is hopefully different.  Let’s just say....in the spirit of Jazz 😎.  Obviously, I don’t always succeed.

Having said all that, of course SOMETIMES one chooses to as grandma would always say.....”if you don’t have anything positive to say, don’t say anything at all”.  So, if you ever have want to know my feelings about an artist that I haven’t expressed an opinion on one way or another feel free to ask me directly and I would be glad to share my thoughts.

Btw, can I assume you don’t like Paul Desmond? 😉







When I see a decorated Christmas tree, I know it's Christmas time, and we have one in our living room. Maybe if I gaze at it, I'll get the Christmas Spirit.

Charley Brown Christmas is about kids at this time of year, and it reminds me of when my adult son was a little one, plus I like Vince Guaraldi.


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fh133ZO1AE&list=PLEpZan9S2GOFesp-gJqsdD80a7zoaflHa


     
This is a re - post because I had to alter it for a friend and the system wont let you edit after 30 minutes. 

alex,

I enjoyed all 5 of your links and my favorite, of course, is Grant Green.

I cannot even find the words to describe his rendition of that song. You can feel Grant’s feelings in every chord. From the same album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBTvy8As0cQ

I have the 2 disc set "The Complete Quartets With Sonny Clark"

Here is a couple from the compilation.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzpPuKEK3RM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKdeMa5NMmc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUOC02sTckI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuTVeNF3t6s


alex I would have loved to meet Grant Green and even more become an acquaintance of his like our OP. I was fortunate enough to see Lou Donaldson at least a half dozen times and converse with him. Green played on a few of Lou’s studio recording sessions. Lou and I talked about Grant Green, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Big John Patton and Art Blakey to name a few.


Most of our conversations centered on sports especially boxing. Lou is a big fan of boxing and baseball. I miss him as he has not been gigging for the last 3 years. He is 93 now. He told me he was at the Polo Grounds in NY when Bobby Thomson hit "The Shot Heard Round The World" Here is the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiZuVXYa43E

Maybe that was Lou who jumped up with that cigar in his mouth! just kidding but Lou was in attendance and I believe him. Lou, who was born in 1926, would have been a strapping young man of 25 years old at the time. Three years later he was the altoist in Art Blakey’s live 2 disc set "A Night At Birdland" along with Clifford Brown, Horace Silver and Curly Russell. Every time listen to this 2 disc set I think of Lou "Sweet Papa" Donaldson.

I see you saw the photo of Mr. Lou and I on my Facebook page. He certainly is a character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB4H54s6mEk
When I was around German classical players who also , among themselves played jazz , this seemed to be their favorite .
I suspect because it is difficult and these guys could play anything.

https://youtu.be/c0Olxorz1fU
I’m sure I know less than anyone on here, but just starting out , God put my hand on this recording of Sonny Stitt , who is still my # 1 jazz man and if I could only have one jazz recording this would would be it .
P.S. I wish I good find more of Shadow Wilson .