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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 have two out of three of the albums on vinyl by Desmond that you posted; Desmond Blue is my favorite.


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT5zGYaUN_Q
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok, I'm sure you know by now that Gene Ammons is heavy on my play list. Canadian Sunset and Hittin the Jug were also on jukeboxes in jazz lounges, including one in San Antonio named "The Lifesaver".


   
schubert
7,386 posts
 
0-10 to my hears Sonny was a more "everything" than any other Saxophone player . He could go from the sweetest lullaby to an Atom bomb
in a flash .
Of course , I am a very biased old man and I could be wrong , with much less hears than anybody on here .

orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Schubert, some people like chocolate, some like vanilla, while others like strawberry; it's all about what floats your boat.
pjw81563
1,835 posts
 
***********Schubert, "Cherokee" is in the domain of the "heavy hitters" like Bird and Stitt.************

Don’t forget Art Pepper. I have the rare 9 disc box set "Live At The Village Vanguard" from Art’s "comeback" period in the 70’s. The 9 discs were recorded on 3 nights Friday through Sunday.


Anyway Friday night opening residency first set closing song is Cherokee. Before playing Art spoke to the audience as follows word for word:

"We are gonna close this set with our rendition of the tune in the bible of the jazz musician... if you cant play this don’t play.... Cherokee.... that’s jazz I mean if you cant play this and play the crap  outa it don’t play the horn.... or the drums or anything...… break it 123....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFEyZf4Fw0s

The intro to Cherokee I wrote word for word from Art during the Friday night show. I could not find the Friday night "Cherokee with intro" so I improvised. I listened to the intro on my pc until I got it all down the used the Saturday night rendition of Cherokee (all I could find on You Tube).

Art Pepper, during his comeback was on methadone but in the book he and his wife Laurie wrote "Straight Life" Art discussed this 3 night residency and recording at the Village Vanguard. He was obsessed with getting everything just right and started snorting cocaine When they arrived in NY and he never went to sleep until the last set on Sunday was over. 4 days and nights straight with no sleep and he still played terrific on every set.


His band for these shows was an all star line up with Elvin Jones on drums, George Cables on Piano and George Mraz on bass.






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