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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
frogman
7,562 posts
 
“Take Five”:

I must say, I’m with Schubert on this one. One of those tunes that is very difficult to cover in a way that makes as strong a statement as the original. I don’t dislike the Puente “version”. It’s exciting, but it is “Take Five” in name only, imo. The main musical signature of the tune “Take Five” is that it is in five; five beats to the measure. That is what gives the tune its quirky rhythmic feel. Puente does the tune in 4! Completely different rhythmic feel. Kind of strange actually, to hear the familiar melody superimposed over a different rhythm.

https://youtu.be/7i6vcmXdJMM

All kidding aside, hard to top, or even equal this one:

https://youtu.be/vmDDOFXSgAs

Here’s a different take on “Take Five”:

https://youtu.be/hhq7fSrXn0c




schubert
7,386 posts
 
frogman, I take it from your no comment , you didn't like the  Evangelista 
Evanio ?  (Brazilian ?)
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGiSiISvDmc&list=OLAK5uy_ki6wUPDaNpp9p7yaz505SkudorI_y6NuY
frogman
7,562 posts
 
Hadn’t listened to it, Schubert.  I guess you hadn’t read my comment to pjw about “no comments” 😊.  My take:

Not a bad player.  While no Desmond “dry martini” tone and style, he has a nice sound and does a good job of playing in five which is the “stealth” difficulty of playing the tune.  The difficulty is that it feels very unnatural to most players to play, let alone improvise, in five.  Much more comfortable to play in the much more common 1,2,3,4/1,2,3,4 etc. type of rhythm.  Imagine having to march instead of 1,2,1,2,1,2,1,2 etc., this way: 1,2,1,2,3,1,2,1,2,3 etc.  

He plays to Dave Brubeck and his rhythm section as they themselves recorded the tune.  The backing track that he plays to is Dave Brubeck’s actual recording minus Paul Desmond’s saxophone which was electronically edited out.  Then he plays EXACTLY what Desmond plays including Desmond’s solo, note for note.  Then, after he plays Desmond’s solo he improvises his own solo over Morello’s recorded drum solo and that is when things get a little murky.  Not bad and as much as he tries to stay in the style of Desmond he can’t help let some Smooth Jazzisms creep into his solo.  So, in short, I’m left with the feeling of “what’s the point?”  An example of a promising young player honing his playing.  
Interesting comparison:

“Take Five” with Joe Morello:

https://youtu.be/tT9Eh8wNMkw

“Take Five” no Morello; Alan Dawson on drums:

https://youtu.be/8V9VSxn2F9M



frogman
7,562 posts
 
Nice groove on the “Zemeo” clip, O-10. Reminded me of this (posted a while back).  One of my favorite fusion bands:

https://youtu.be/sF9kW-8NPqs
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