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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
mary_jo
1,525 posts
 
https://www.factmonster.com/take-quiz/jazz

You get the chocolate at the end. 
mary_jo
1,525 posts
 
If Eddie would have recorded more, Alex would not sleep at all...
Great music...thank you.
frogman
7,561 posts
 
O-10, while I don’t feel entirely comfortable laying claim to the “astute” part of your question, I can offer an opinion.

I think it would be difficult to make an argument against “Moanin’” being THE definitive Art Blakey Jazz Messengers recording. I think it is a pretty safe bet that if surveyed a majority would agree. Great band! Great record! And, I have a strong suspicion that you would agree 😉. Having said that, I think the band was even better when Wayne Shorter replaced Benny Golson. Not that there was anything amiss in Benny Golson’s playing; quite the contrary. Fantastic player and fantastic composer which is one of the main reasons that “Moanin’” was so great. After Golson, the band remained the same except for the tenor slot. Shorter was (is) a more modern improviser and, for me, a more interesting improviser. I think that made the band more interesting and more forward looking. With a couple of temporary changes theband would remain essentially the same for about half a dozen records with “Night In Tunisia” being a favorite. My two cents.
mary_jo
1,525 posts
 
O-10, that Paul Desmond, Desmond Blue is extraordinary.

As intended, this album presents alto sax specialist Paul Desmond as never featured before, with the backing of a string orchestra. The record, filled with such beautiful jazz standards as "My Funny Valentine," "I've Got You Under My Skin," and "Body and Soul," is very rich in texture, yet subtle and mellow overall in mood. It's unyielding purpose: to soothe the souls of its listeners. ~source  elusivedisc.com

mary_jo
1,525 posts
 
fro, you are enterin' my space...
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